THE final two races of the season are upon you, F1 fans.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will go at it in Saudi Arabia this weekend, before finishing up the season in Abu Dhabi next week – and both should be absolute crackers.
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports F1
- Practice One – 1.30pm GMT
- Practice Two – 5pm GMT
- Practice Three – 2pm GMT
- Qualifying – 5pm GMT
- Race – 5.30pm GMT
Follow all the action with SunSport's live blog below…
- Etienne Fermie
LEW WHAT?
Red Bull chief Christian Horner has accused Lewis Hamilton of making regular digs at rival Max Verstappen.
But the Dutchman, 23, couldn't 'give a f***'.
The pair are locked in a heated battle for Championship glory as the 2021 campaign reaches its penultimate stop in Saudi Arabia this weekend.
Their race for the title has taken several twists and turns – with Horner and Mercedes chief Toto Wolff often getting in on the war of words.
This week, speaking to the Telegraph, the former claimed that Hamilton is always making comments aimed at Verstappen.
He said: "Lewis continually drops his subtle little digs or provocations.
"But I think the great thing about Max is he doesn’t give a f***. He is who he is. He drives a car fast.
"And then he wants to go home and play on his PlayStation. It’s as simple as that."
- Etienne Fermie
HOW VERSTAPPEN CAN WIN THE TITLE ON SUNDAY
- Verstappen is 1st, plus fastest lap (bonus point) and Hamilton is 6th or lower
- Verstappen is 1st and Hamilton 7th or lower
- Verstappen is 2nd, plus fastest lap (bonus point) and Hamilton is 10th or lower
- Verstappen is 2nd and Hamilton is 11th or lower
LANDO OF THE FREE
Lando Norris has backed Lewis Hamilton's stance on racing in Saudi Arabia.
The McLaren star said: "Lewis is a good guy to have, not leading us, but being the prime guy talking about these kind of things.
"It's obvious that certain things he's experienced in the past also help him be able to talk about it.
"I guess I'm fortunate that I've not had these kind of things to be said about me.
"I'm not in such an easy position just to go out and say whatever I want like he can – the problems here and in some of the countries."
- Etienne Fermie
NEEDS TO CHANGE
Lewis Hamilton says he is not comfortable being in Saudi Arabia for the country's first ever F1 race due to their poor human rights record.
Once again, the sport's reigning champion was the one who spoke out after making a poignant statement on his arrival at the paddock in Jeddah.
He said: "I feel the sport, and we are duty-bound, to ensure we try and raise awareness for certain issues, especially human rights in the countries we are going to.
"With the utmost respect for everyone that is here, I have had a warm respect from everyone on the ground.
"I can't pretend to ever be the most knowledgeable or [have the] deepest understanding of anyone who has grown up in the community here that is heavily affected by so many rules and regimes.
"Do I feel comfortable here? I wouldn't say I do, but it is not my choice to be here. The sport has taken the choice to be here and whether it is right or wrong, I think while we are here it is important we do try and raise awareness.
"For example, in the last race you saw the helmet that I wore and I will wear that again here and in the next race because that is an issue and is a law.
"If anyone wants to take the time to read what the law is for the LGBT+ community, it is pretty terrifying and there are changes that need to be made, for example women's rights and being able to drive in 2018 — it is how they are policed.
"Are they really in effect? Why are some of the women still in prison from driving many, many years ago? There is a lot of change that needs to happen and our sport needs to do more."
- Matt Penn
GOOD MORNING!
Hello and welcome to SunSport's live coverage of this weekend's F1 action from Saudi Arabia.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen are going head-to-head for the Drivers' championship with just two races to go.
It's been dubbed one of the greatest title races in F1 history, as well as the Senna-Prost rivalry of the modern era.
And this weekend, one of them will take a step closer to title glory in Jeddah, where they'll race on the fastest track in F1 history – the Corniche Circuit.
Hamilton is gunning for a record eighth F1 title win, putting him one ahead of racing legend Michael Schumacher.
Verstappen, however, is aiming to win his firtst ever title – something he's been searching for since he joined the field in 2015 as a 17-year-old.
Whatever the result, there's bound to be drama this weekend – so strap yourselves in, it should be a wild one. We've got you covered.
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