Hamilton dominates practices for Saudi Arabian GP

Lewis Hamilton might not feel comfortable at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, but his reluctance to compete in the country has not been evidenced on the track: The seven-time champion posted the best time on Friday in both practice sessions for the inaugural edition of the Formula One’s newest circuit.

In the afternoon, Hamilton was quicker than his Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in a second session that ended roughly three minutes earlier by a red flag caused by a speeding collision by Charles LeClerc at Turn 22.

In the morning session, the Briton edged championship leader Max Verstappen of Red Bull by 0.056 seconds and Bottas by 0.223.

Verstappen led for the first 40 minutes of the first one-hour session on the 6.2-kilometer (3.8-mile) street circuit, which is part of a 30-kilometer (18.6-mile) coastal resort area in Jeddah. .

The high-speed circuit features 27 corners (16 on the left and 11 on the right) that was built for the first F1 event in Saudi Arabia about eight months ago, although the finishing touches continued this week and parts of the facilities are still under construction.

Hamilton has been the driver who has most openly criticized F1’s visit to Saudi Arabia, a country that several human rights groups accuse of organizing sporting events to clean up its image and divert attention from abuses committed throughout the country. .

F1 ends its season with three consecutive races in the Middle East, and four total GPs in the region on the 2021 calendar. Hamilton gave his opinion in Bahrain and Qatar and said on Thursday that if it were up to him, he would not choose to race in Saudi Arabia. .

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“As I said (in Qatar), being that the sport and we have the responsibility to try to help raise awareness about certain issues that we have seen, in particular the human rights violations in these countries that we go to,” he said. the British. “What if I feel comfortable here? I wouldn’t say yes. But it is not up to me to be here, the sport has made the decision to be here. Regardless of whether it is good or bad, while we are here, I think it is important that we try to raise awareness. “

Hamilton struggled early in the day to adjust to the track as Verstappen improved his fastest time twice before Hamilton picked up speed.

Verstappen leads Hamilton by eight points – with nine wins for seven – in a very close duel that will culminate in the crowning of the champion next weekend in Abu Dhabi.

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