Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen: The key moments throughout a dramatic F1 title race

A truly remarkable Formula One campaign has reached an enthralling crescendo, as title protagonists Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen head into the final race of the campaign level on points. 

After what has been a prolonged period of domination for Hamilton, who has won six of the last seven campaigns, beaten just the once by Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in 2016, the Brit has quite literally been driven to the brink over the last 21 races. 

There have been twists and turns galore throughout the campaign, in which the championship lead has changed hands on numerous occasions, with the title to be settled in a final-race shootout this weekend.   

It’s the seven-time champion Hamilton who has all the momentum, having clawed his way back into contention with three victories on the spin. He also has an abundance of experience to call on, while Verstappen has never finished higher than third in a championship campaign. 

But before we brace ourselves for what is sure to be a gripping final weekend, let’s have a quick look back at where the title has been won and lost.  

What are the current standings? 

First, we must establish exactly how the standings look heading into the final race of the season. 

With Hamilton’s thrilling win at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend, the 36-year-old moved level with his rival on 369.5 points.      

It was Verstappen who entered the season’s penultimate encounter with a slender eight-point lead; the Dutchman even had the possibility of sealing the title there and then.   

That wasn’t to be the case, as Hamilton eventually took a dramatic victory in a frantic race, which involved a collision between the title contenders, while Verstappen was handed two penalties amounting to 15 seconds. Crucially, Hamilton also claimed the bonus…