Lewis Hamilton beat title rival Max Verstappen in one of the wildest and most controversial races in Formula One’s history.
The result leaves the championship rivals level on points going into the final race at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Dec. 12, effectively making it a winner-takes-all showdown.
The race featured a long list of controversial flash points between the two drivers, notably including one collision, with two red-flag stoppages completely flipping the race on its head on two occasions.
Most controversial was what happened on lap 38 when Hamilton ran into the back of Verstappen’s car, labelling his rival “dangerous” and “crazy” afterwards.
Verstappen had forced Hamilton wide on the previous lap to defend the lead but was told by Red Bull to let his rival past.
Hamilton was apparently unaware Verstappen had been given the message and he drove into the back of him. A furious Hamilton claimed Verstappen had brake-tested him, although from the outside it appeared to be a case of two drivers with a different understanding of what the other one was doing.
Remarkably, Hamilton avoided major damage to his car. Verstappen let Hamilton by a few laps later as his tyres faded and he was issued a five-second time penalty for the Turn 1 incident.
Hamilton brought the car home to secure the win, with Verstappen unable to claim the fastest lap bonus point given the state of his tyres.
After the race, Verstappen said he had no idea what Hamilton had been doing.
Hamilton said he had no idea Verstappen was slowing to let him past.
“I didn’t quite understand why he suddenly hit the brakes quite heavily and I ran into the back of him. I got a message afterwards that he would let us pass so it was quite confusing.”
Source: ESPN
