A roaring 30th. Formula 1 will see its world driver champion be crowned at the last meeting of the season for the 30th time in its history. And rarely has the fight been as close as between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and after 21 races, the two drivers have the same number of points, a scenario as unlikely as it is exciting. A similar situation only occurred in 1974, when the Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi (McLaren) won the title at the expense of Clay Regazzoni (Ferrari) in the final meeting of the year, when the two men were tied.
Verstappen-Hamilton, perfect tie, then? Not exactly. What situations would the Dutchman of the Red Bull team crown on Sunday? What are the scenarios that would allow the Briton of the Silver Arrows to triumph? franceinfo: sport gives you the keys to this exceptional scenario.
Max Verstappen champion if:
– He finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi.
– He finished in 10th place, and obtained the point of the best lap in the race, while Lewis Hamilton finished 9th.
– The two drivers do not finish the race in points or retire, as the Red Bull driver has one more victory this season than his counterpart (nine for Verstappen, eight for Hamilton).
Lewis Hamilton champion if:
– He finished in one of the top eight places ahead of Max Verstappen.
– He finished 9th and Max Verstappen finished 10th without obtaining the point for the fastest lap in the race.
– He finished 10th and Max Verstappen did not score any points (beyond 10th place or abandonment)
The possible scenario of a crash between the two men, as it almost happened during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix on Sunday 5 December, is on everyone’s mind and would, in theory, be favorable to Max Verstappen, unless a withdrawal of points. Formula 1 has experienced similar incidents in the past. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost concluded the 1989 and 1990 exercises with highly controversial accidents on the Suzuka circuit in Japan. Michael Schumacher was also involved in two similar situations, with Damon Hill in 1994 (he will be crowned), then with Jacques Villeneuve in 1997, to the advantage of the Canadian.