Formula 1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix: Hamilton wins to tie Verstappen on points

Lewis Hamilton has won a controversial debut Saudi Arabian Grand Prix from pole position ahead of Max Verstappen, as title rivals drew equal on points heading into the final round of the Formula 1 season. 

In a race that required 2 red flags and 4 virtual safety cars, Verstappen was given the lead before the first restart, as the 2 up-front Mercedes cars had pitted under yellows.

Then after going wide off-track to cut back a resurgent Hamilton, Verstappen was handed a 5 second penalty and dropped to P3 for the next grid start, however, the Dutchman made a terrific move down the inside of the opening chicane to put his car back in front.

He retained the lead up to lap 43 where Hamilton pushed him aside for an eventual winning margin of 10 seconds.

Valtteri Bottas ended up third. With Hamilton taking the fastest lap, the two rivals head to the Abu Dhabi finale level on 369.5 points.

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