With Hamilton and Verstappen neck and neck, F1 holds its breath

Formula One’s annus mirabilis has the ending it deserves with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on exactly the same number of points ahead of the weekend’s winner-takes-all showdown in Abu Dhabi.

Back in July Verstappen had built up a cosy 32-point lead but the momentum is now back at Mercedes with Hamilton driving like a man with an unprecedented eighth world championship in his sights.

The Briton’s against-all-odds win in Brazil, Qatar cruise and Sunday’s Saudi stunner means that for the first time since Emerson Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni in 1974 the title protagonists go into the closing race level on points.

Hamilton produced what three-time former world champion Jackie Stewart suggested “might be the best race he’s ever driven” to emerge triumphant from the chaos of a hot and sticky night in Jeddah.

The 36-year-old Briton and his Dutch rival, who is 12 years younger, have for the large part treated each other with respect.

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