Formula 1: Lessons learned from the chaos in Jeddah

The first-ever Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was messy, fast, and exciting; what lessons can Formula 1 organizers and teams learn from the weekend?

Given his impact on the outcome of the inaugural Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, maybe a fourth podium spot should have been built for Formula 1 race director Michael Masi.

That wouldn’t have been necessary, as a petulant Max Verstappen didn’t occupy his runner-up spot for long, citing the lack of champagne and not the 15 seconds in penalties that almost knocked him down a spot in the finishing order.

It’s unfortunate that off-track decisions had such an impact on what was a choppy but exciting race. In the end, Hamilton was faster on the high-speed circuit and Red Bull’s choice of medium tires to finish the race cost them the chance to challenge him for the win in the final laps.

Final laps, by the way, that were marred by miscommunications and botched strategic decisions. The jockeying for DRS positioning between Hamilton and Verstappen is directly responsible for their lap 37 collision – and one more reason to get rid of DRS entirely.

Hamilton and Verstappen were the first two finishers in 13 of 21 races this season.

For just the second time in Formula 1 history, the top two drivers are tied in points going into the final race. In 1974, Emerson Fittipaldi drove his McLaren to a fourth place finish in the season-ending United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen to beat out Ferrari’s Clay Regazzoni, who finished 11th.

I would bet the purse for next week’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that the FIA has never once said “Let’s be more like NASCAR,” but they have a genuine one-race shootout for the championship – although the F1 version has two drivers compared to NASCAR’s four.

It’s really the only fitting way to do this amazing title race justice. Hamilton and Verstappen have literally distanced themselves from the field all year, so it’s appropriate that they go into the season’s final race only having to worry about finishing ahead of the other.

If they both somehow finish out of the points – something that’s only happened twice this year – Verstappen will win the championship based on his nine race wins to Hamilton’s eight.

But that’s as likely to happen as Nikita Mazepin or Nicholas Latifi stepping up to the podium, so expect this championship to come down to the final laps. And don’t be surprised if Verstappen and Hamilton are bumping wheels and wings in the closing kilometers of what should be a fascinating and exciting finish to a legendary season.

Let’s just hope the title is decided by the drivers on the track, and that Masi and the stewards can sit back and enjoy the race with the rest of us.