F1 News
Hakkinen expects ultimate decision: 'That is very likely'
- GPblog.com
With two races to go, it is easy to work out how the two contenders for the title can claim the championship. Max Verstappen is eight points ahead of Lewis Hamilton and could potentially clinch the title in Jeddah, although Mika Hakkinen believes this is highly unlikely.
Verstappen can overcome title in Jeddah
The championship can still go either way. Verstappen has the upper hand, but the upcoming Saudi Arabia Grand Prix is going to play a particularly important role for the outcome of the championship. Verstappen is for the first time on match point.
Hakkinen looks at the chances of both drivers in his column on Unibet.com: "Max could even win the World Championship in Jeddah if Lewis has a bad result. But on a circuit that seems to favour cars with good straight-line speed, and Mercedes planning to use the ‘Brazil engine’ in Lewis’s car, the defending champion will be looking for nothing less than a win."
Hamilton can defend title in Abu Dhabi
What Hakkinen finds far more likely is that the title battle will be decided in Abu Dhabi. The two-time world champion even thinks it will be an ultimate dénouement, with both drivers appearing at the final start of the season with the same number of points.
"If Lewis wins again in Saudi Arabia and sets fastest lap, with Max finishing 2nd - a strong possibility - the two drivers would go to the final round of the World Championship in equal points. It would be an extraordinary end to what has been an amazingly close season."