F1 LIVE practice results as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen begin battle

“It is difficult to say which one will prevail,” Bernie Ecclestone told the Mail. “I think it now depends on a little bit of good or bad luck that either of them bumps into.

“Generally, the public — and this is nothing against Lewis, he has done a first-class job — probably wants to see somebody else be world champion. That is the feeling I get from people.

“Lewis has been a bit luckier until now. Whether that luck will remain or run out we’ll have to see. Max as champion would be good for Formula One. Mercedes have been great, but it would be good if someone else came to the fore.”

Bernie Ecclestone is adamant that a record eighth world title for Lewis Hamilton will not take him above Michael Schumacher in the eyes of the fans as the greatest F1 driver of all time.

“No, not at all,” Bernie Ecclestone told RTL when discussing whether Lewis Hamilton clinching a record eighth title would take him above Michael Schumacher as the greatest of all time in F1.

“In fact, I’m surprised Lewis didn’t say at the beginning of the year ‘I’m stepping down, I don’t want to win more races or World Championships than Michael’.”

Valtteri Bottas will remain ‘professional’ and keep it clean against Max Verstappen

Valtteri Bottas has vowed to remain ‘professional’ and keep his racing clean against Max Verstappen at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as the title race nears a conclusion.

“Every point in this championship is obviously super important and both me and Lewis will try to get every point we can,” explained the Mercedes driver.

“But also, we are racers that have respect and I also think in that situation Max wouldn’t do the calculations and what it would do in the points.

“I don’t think anyone is going to change the way we race.

“We’re going to race as hard and as well and as professionally as we can to get the best result.”

“I was just worried that it became so long that it was… irrelevant,” said Daniel Ricciardo.

“It was hard with travel, Covid, just trying to tee up the times. I thought if it gets too long, we might just forget about it but it seems everyone was pretty excited for it.

“It’s a real thing. Zak [Brown] and Cyril are now stamped for life. It was good because a lot of people I think lost faith that it was ever going to happen but we got there, it was a good time.

“There was definitely some negotiating – design, size and all those things – but actually in the end, pretty happy with the result,” he added.

“It’s different in one sense because we’ve got two incredibly close teams, it’s different because we’re fighting for uncharted territory, no one’s ever won eight titles, team or driver, so that’s quite fresh and new,” said Hamilton, who will leave Saudi Arabia level on points with Verstappen to set up a winner takes all Abu Dhabi finale if he wins with the fastest lap ahead of the Dutchman.

“Then on the other side I’m more relaxed than I’ve ever been. I remember how it was my first championship and even my second and third, the sleepless nights and all those sorts of things.

“Obviously, (I’m) a lot more sure about myself and just applied myself better than ever before. All I can do is prepare the best I can for what’s up ahead of me and I 100% know I have.”

Max Verstappen admits seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton is “better prepared” for a title fight but does not believe the extra experience gives his rival the upper hand with two races remaining.

While Hamilton seeks a record eighth drivers’ crown, Verstappen is looking to claim his first title after a fine season with Red Bull.

The Dutchman sits eight points clear at the top of the standings but heads into this weekend’s F1 debut in Saudi Arabia on the back foot, with Hamilton winning the last two races in Brazil and Qatar.

Hamilton, 36, claimed his first title back in 2008 and has racked up a further six in the past seven seasons as both he and Mercedes have dominated the sport.

“I think it’s natural of course that when you are in this stage of your career you are better prepared than what you were in your first or second, when Lewis was fighting for his first title,” said the 24-year-old Verstappen.

“I think it’s a natural progression and it’s very normal. I also feel much better prepared and more experienced than when I first came into Formula One.

“No, I don’t think that makes a big difference, because otherwise it would have shown already throughout the season.”

Lewis Hamilton is in the midst of the most exciting Formula One title battle in recent memory but insists he is uncomfortable racing in Saudi Arabia highlighting the country’s “pretty terrifying” LGBTQ+ laws.

The inaugural race in Jeddah is the penultimate grand prix of the 2021 season in which reigning champion Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen have tussled for the title.

Verstappen is just eight points clear heading into Sunday’s race in Saudi Arabia but Hamilton has the momentum of winning the previous two races for Mercedes.