Gallery: Lewis Hamilton's F1 Victory at Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia
Seven-time Formula 1 champion nails down career win No. 103, ties F1 championship standings.
The Formula 1 season all comes down to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 12 after Lewis Hamilton took care of business at Saudi Arabia on Sunday.
Hamilton passed Max Verstappen for the lead with 44 laps remaining and went on to win the 50-lap Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia. The victory was the eighth of the season and third in a row for Hamilton and was the record-extending 103rd of his career. The margin of victory was a comfortable 11.8 seconds over Verstappen, who was saddled with a late 5-second penalty for a track-limit violation.
Valtteri Bottas finished third for Mercedes.
The race featured three standing starts, including a pair of restarts brought on by red flags for track cleanup and repair.
Hamilton, who is seeking his record eighth Formula 1 championship, and Verstappen are tied with 269.5 points with on race remaining—Dec. 12 at Abu Dhabi. Verstappen came into the race at Saudi Arabia leading by eight points and with a chance to clinch the title.
"That's more like it," Hamilton said after the win.
As for Verstappen, "It is what it is."
Here's a little of what it looking like on Sunday night in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
No. 103
Lewis Hamilton, right, gets past Max Verstappen on his way to career win No. 103 in Formula 1.
Stage is Set
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen head to Abu Dhabi tied for the championship points lead.
Mission Yet to Be Accomplished
Max Verstappen came up short in his bid to win the F1 championship on Sunday in Saudi Arabia.
Tale of Standing Starts
Esteban Ocon, left, comes out of one of three standing starts to challenge Hamilton, center, and Verstappen.
Leading the Way
Esteban Ocon led a lap for the first time since his win earlier this year at Hungary. Ocon went on to finish fourth.
Team Effort
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff, left, calls the shots as Mercedes extends its lead in the Constructors' Championship.
Schumacher Into the Wall
Haas F1 Team's Mick Schumacher hits the wall hard early in the raece to bring out the first of two red flags.
Short Day
Mick Schumacher looks over his battered Haas machine after crashing out.
Podium for Bottas
Valtteri Bottas caught Esteban Ocon on the final lap to finish third and complete the podium for Mercedes.
1-2 for Hamilton, Verstappen
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen finished 1-2 for the 13th time this season.
Finishing Strong
Lewis Hamilton celebrates his third consecutive victory.
No sweat
Hamilton crosses the line with no one in his rear view mirror in Saudi Arabia.
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