Formula 1: Drive to Survive (2019–…): Season 4, Episode 9 - Gloves Are Off - full transcript
Only a few races remain, and for drivers desperate for any advantage they can get their hands on, the gloves are officially off.
[Horner] Oh my God.
We have loads to talk about.
[tense music playing]
[cars zooming]
[Wolff] This is a season like no other.
[commentator 1] This is gonna be
Hamilton's chance!
[crowd cheering]
[Horner] There has been just so much
of a cauldron of pressure.
[crunching]
[Horner] It's reached a level
I don't think anyone expected.
It's just been,
you know, insane.
Since Silverstone,
it's just gone up and up and up.
You can see it
bubbling over, boiling over.
[engine revving]
[commentator 2] And there's Verstappen.
It's wheel to wheel!
[Lewis] Max is kind of do or die.
It's like you're either crashing
or you're... or you're not going by.
[shocked gasping]
[Max] For me, the only thing
which matters is victory.
I want to become a world champion.
[clock ticking]
It's not just about me and Toto
or Max and Lewis.
[cheering]
[Horner] It's the whole team
that's competing as a team.
Going head-to-head.
- [machinery whirring]
- [engine revving]
[cars zooming]
[Max] That's what you get
when you don't leave space.
[Lewis] Oh, guys.
[Max] Fucking hell.
[Bono] Switch off the engine,
please, Lewis.
I think he pushes it to the limit
and probably beyond.
I like to think
that I fight hard and fair.
I have a track record
of fighting hard and fair.
I don't have a track record
of crashing with people.
[commentator 2]
They're gonna be talking about this
for a long, long time to come.
Two teams that aren't exactly
best of friends.
He... he doesn't leave me the space.
[Horner] Neither driver wanted to concede
and the end result was what we saw.
[reporter 1] How do they avoid contact
going forward?
[Horner] We try and make sure he's ahead
on the circuit. That's the easiest way.
[airplane engine idles]
[man 1] Max was behind
all the way through the corner,
had no chance of making it,
launched the car over the curb into Lewis.
The tire fell on his head.
[man 1] Max has posted though,
on social, that he was squeezed.
- [Toto] I'm not interested.
- [man 1] I'm just saying...
[Toto] I'm not interested in
any social media posts. Irrelevant.
I think Monza was an ugly accident,
because you could see
the tire marks on the car.
You don't want to even continue
that thought. What could have happened.
[man 1] "In the opinion of the stewards,
this maneuver was attempted too late
for the driver
to have the right to racing room,
and therefore find the driver of car 33
was predominantly to blame
for the incident."
[indistinct chatter over phone]
[in German] Max gets
a three-place grid penalty in Russia.
[man 2 on phone] In the end,
you have to admit you were lucky.
Yes, if you look at the recordings,
the wheel is on top of Lewis' helmet.
Uh... So, yes,
it could have ended really badly.
[man 2] Was that an act
that came of desperation, you think?
Yes, I mean, if you look at just the race,
Lewis has avoided the contact. Um...
Max knew if he didn't stay there,
the race was lost, so he stayed there.
[in English] When it was clear
that Lewis would probably come out ahead,
Max did
what was expected.
He just stopped him.
Ciao. Ciao, ciao.
[tense music playing]
[man 1] The car's been back today
to get everything stripped.
- So we've got Lewis's chassis.
- [Toto] Yeah.
[man 3] We're expecting damage
inside the structure.
[Toto] He was a lucky man.
[man 3] Oh yeah.
Just watch your hands. It's so sharp.
- [Toto] Yeah.
- [man 3] Anyone not in favor of the halo...
That was me, you know, four years ago.
I was fighting the halo.
And I was...
Thank God I didn't win that fight.
- [man 4] Have you seen Lewis's helmet?
- [Toto] Yeah.
- [man 4] Is it bad or...
- [Toto] It's damaged.
And you see tire marks.
Hopefully, it reminded everybody
this is one of the most dangerous
sports that exists.
And in a hard fight,
winning in the right way
is as important as winning.
- Thank you.
- [man 1] Thanks, Chris.
The one thing with this season, I think,
is everybody was excited about the fight.
Everyone was excited about the challenge.
But it is getting extreme.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Hamilton wins in Russia.
[Bono] Get in there, Lewis!
That's the 100.
[commentator 1]
Verstappen finishes second,
having started at the back of the grid.
[Horner] Stay calm.
We will get the fuckers.
[commentator 2] Everyone is now ready.
[Buxton] There are two trophies,
two championships at stake.
One for the individual drivers,
and one for the teams.
And with both within reach,
everyone's pushing themselves
to the absolute limit.
[commentator 2] It's a double podium
for Red Bull.
[Lewis] Shit,
why did you give up that space?
Shouldn't have come in, man. I told you!
[Gow] There's hardly anything separating
the cars, the drivers, the teams.
[commentator 2] For the first time
on US soil,
Max Verstappen wins the US Grand Prix!
Lewis Hamilton has to settle for second.
[commentator 1] The tension
is building race after race.
[reporter 2] I think tactical thinking
for the coming races...
- [Toto] Do you drink?
- [reporter 2] Is it bullshit?
Do you drink during the day?
- [reporter 2] No, no, no.
- You do.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 2] Three abreast
at the moment. Into turn one we go.
Verstappen is into the lead,
ahead of Hamilton.
[Horner] Come on!
[commentator 2] Max Verstappen wins
the Mexico City Grand Prix!
[Buxton] They have both had to mount
the most incredible challenges.
[chuckling] It's pretty exciting
to be fair.
[commentator 2] Here goes Hamilton.
He's trying to take the lead
from Verstappen,
but he is forced wide by Verstappen!
Fucking asshole!
[Max] I'm not sure
we can make this to the end.
[commentator 2]
Hamilton pulls ahead of Verstappen.
[cheering]
[commentator 2] He has gone from last
all the way to first.
[Lewis] Whoo! Yes! Come on, guys!
[fading crowd cheers]
And now there's only three races left.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Welcome to the desert.
We're in Qatar
for the first of this year's
brand-new circuits in the Middle East.
[Toto] Morning.
[commentator 1 in English] The battle
for the championships are heating up.
[man] Apparently it hasn't rained
in this country for over a year.
- Over a year?
- [man] Yeah.
[Norris] Ciao. Buongiorno. [giggles]
- What's "buongiorno?" Good morning?
- [Sefton] Yeah.
- Oh.
- [Sefton] Or "hello."
- I said, "Ciao. Buongiorno."
- [Sefton] Who?
[Norris] To Mattia.
[Ricciardo chuckles] Yes!
Gasly!
[Gow] Qatar is a brand-new track
for Formula 1.
They're going into the unknown.
They don't have years of data to analyze.
It's gonna challenge every single team
to the absolute maximum.
It is difficult for the driver.
You need to get up to speed very fast.
[Steiner] Until we go on the race track,
nobody will know what is coming next.
That risk element is involved.
Some people like this risk element.
And I like it.
You know, it doesn't scare me.
It's a new track. Will it suit us?
Will it suit Mercedes? We have no idea.
[Pérez] How long is the main straight?
Full throttle...
I think it's 1.2K full throttle.
- Fuck, it's long.
- Yeah.
[commentator 1] With so much at stake,
how will this race affect
the drivers' title championship fight
between Verstappen and Hamilton?
But also for the teams.
They're battling for that lucrative
Constructors' Championship,
where Mercedes currently
have a narrow 11-point lead.
With everything so tight,
everyone's gonna be trying
everything they can
to throw their rivals off.
The fight is very much on.
[machinery whirring]
[Toto] Can you reduce press
to the minimum level.
- Yes, no problem.
- [distant cars zooming]
[Toto] Let Christian do
all the press work. He enjoys that.
- [reporter 3] Bonjour.
- Bonjour.
[reporter 3] There seems to be
high tension between the drivers,
between the team principals.
Is it good for Formula 1 or is it a bit...
It's a competition, you know?
It's not a... It's not a kids club.
And, you know,
we operate in different ways.
Toto will shout and scream at the camera.
Maybe I'm a little bit more, um...
calm.
[Toto] Christian is a bit like
a Jack Russell Terrier
who likes to snap at your heels.
It is expected that every team principal
is gonna fight
for the benefit of his own team.
But whining
in the press is something that I have seen
on a new level this year.
[Horner] For the first time,
you've seen him under pressure.
He maybe feels
that I antagonize him a bit,
but that's part of the sport.
[distant cars zooming]
- [Toto] With whom am I in the conference?
- [man 1] Christian.
[Toto] Oh, that's fun. Huh!
- [man 2] I'll be watching that one.
- [Toto] Oh, that's fun.
[Horner] Do you reckon I should go
for a toasting or go gentle?
[woman] Let him crumble.
I could have him in a fight.
- Oh yeah.
- [Horner] I might be shorter, but I'm...
- [woman] A bit more nippity.
- [Horner] Exactly.
I can completely understand Christian.
You know, he's watched Toto winning
for so many years.
It's clear that that causes
a certain resentment, and...
that's competition.
You know, it can get tough.
It can get ugly.
[Horner] Right. Showtime.
[purposeful music playing]
[Toto] Where's the circus show?
- Where is the circus show?
- [man 3] At the end.
- [man 4] This is making all their weekend.
- [Horner] I know.
[man 4] It's like a ring walk.
- [Horner] What, sorry? Yeah.
- It's like a ring walk, like boxers.
[man 5] No scratching or biting,
all right?
Have fun!
[Toto] Okay.
[tense music playing]
[camera shutters clicking]
- [Horner] Good afternoon.
- [Toto] Good afternoon.
[host] Welcome to
the Friday press conference
ahead of the 2021
FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
As you can see, we're joined
by Toto Wolff and Christian Horner.
[reporter 4] How would you describe
relations at the moment
between Red Bull and, uh, Mercedes?
Would you say there's still mutual respect
as you fight these last few rounds?
[camera shutters clicking]
[host] Who'd like to start?
Christian, please.
[Horner] There is no relationship.
I don't need to kiss his arse
or anything like that.
You know, I think that would be
dishonest in... in... in many respects,
to fake a facade,
when, you know, you're...
you're competing against each other.
We're fighting for the World Championship
and the Constructors' Championship,
and, uh, we're gonna push to the maximum.
We've worked hard.
[host] Toto?
[Toto] It's clear that this is tough.
It's the World Championship
of the highest category in motor racing.
Um, and what started as Olympic boxing
went to pro boxing, and is now MMA.
We are in the ring there
and gloves are off.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [man 5] Some good lines that you got in.
- Yeah, good.
[Toto in German]
What's his thing with my ass?
I mean, my ass!
[Domenicali] Formula 1,
it's a big sporting fight.
Everyone is trying to have
a tactical advantage.
So you... you try
to use psychological pressure
in order to... to... to win this fight.
[in German] The whole press conference
is so stupid.
The stuff he says, right?
[man 6] Let them talk into emptiness.
He's gonna talk, talk, talk.
Yeah. Talk, talk, talk.
[in English] Sport is brutal.
You need to be ruthless, competitive.
But I don't believe that to be successful
you need to be an asshole.
[machinery whirring]
[Buxton] The championship battle
is raging as much off the track
as it is on the track this year.
It's starting to become more of what can
be fought for and won in the shadows.
Sometimes, the best tool you have
is to protest your rival
to the governing body.
[notifications whistle]
[reporter] Is your suspicion
that the Mercedes rear wing
is somehow dumping drag?
Yes.
[Lewis] Are they testing my car?
They said that they'd pull my car in.
[man 7] They'll do normal checks.
Then there's another check that Red Bull
have sort of invented with the FIA.
- [Lewis] When? Today?
- [man 7] Uh... a couple of days ago.
It's not a regulatory check.
- [Lewis] What?
- [man 7] So it's not...
- Well...
- [Lewis] And we let them do that test?
That's fucking bullshit.
- [man 7] No, we will let them do it...
- [Lewis] Why?
[man 7] There's nothing wrong
with the wing.
[Gow] Teams are protesting
anything and everything.
It's driving standards,
it's the cars, the wings.
They're just throwing everything
at each other
to try and gain some sort of advantage.
[Lewis] That's bullshit that they can do
a test that we've not even tested for.
They're allowed to do it.
[man 7] The thing is, the last few races,
the gap we've had, that's car performance.
- Not...
- [Lewis] Yeah.
- [man 7] Here, we're the same on the...
- [Lewis] I've done a few good laps too.
- [man 7] I know you have.
- [all laugh]
- [Lewis] Never gives me credit.
- [man 7] I do.
- [Lewis] "That's all car performance."
- [man 7] No, I think...
[Buxton] You don't have
to win your protest,
but by getting their cars
torn to pieces, investigated,
your hope is
that you put them under pressure.
[suspenseful music playing]
[exhales sharply]
Brazil was just epic in so many...
Now there's all the cameras coming.
And just the response
has been just... incredible.
You... Sorry, guys... Are you guys...
- [mumbles indistinctly]
- [camera shutters clicking]
[Buxton] Lewis,
he's under constant scrutiny.
I think lot of people are waiting
for that moment when he trips up.
- [Lewis] Oh, shit!
- [man 8 yells]
- [Lewis] Are you okay?
- [man 8] Thank you.
- [Lewis] You all right? Yeah?
- [man 8] Yeah.
Can't imagine what it's like
to constantly have a camera in your face.
[Lewis] I feel like there's a time
and a place for cameras.
Give me a fucking second to answer these
and I'll pose for some shots.
[camera shutters clicking]
There's always been press focus
and press attention on Max,
but I don't think
it's as intrusive or constant.
- Like that?
- [Albon] Yeah. [laughs]
Or, like, tighter?
He's still the same guy that turned up
at the team as a 16-year-old.
- [Max] Back straight, like that?
- [Albon] Yeah.
[Albon coughs, laughs]
[Pérez] That looks weird, man.
What are you thinking of?
[all giggle]
This does look a bit weird.
[commentator 1] It's time for qualifying
under the lights here in Qatar.
The battle for the two championships
ramping up,
and a crucial qualifying session ahead
as Mercedes battle Red Bull.
- [Horner] Happy?
- [Max] Yeah.
[Horner] I think that downforce
is gonna work for you.
- Have fun.
- [Max] Yep.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [machinery whirring]
- [Lewis] Radio check.
[Bono] Radio's loud and clear, Lewis.
[commentator 2] Green light then
at the end of the pit lane.
The main contenders are getting ready.
[engine revving]
[engine revving loudly]
[thrilling music playing]
[commentator 2] Hamilton will be the first
to start his flying lap.
Hamilton absolutely flying on this lap.
Only three poles
during the course of this season,
but have Mercedes
got the advantage tonight?
It is a 1:20.8 for Lewis Hamilton.
[Bono] Okay, Lewis, let's just see
where the others come in.
[commentator 2] Verstappen has to find
half a second on his final flying lap.
[Lambiase] Look out for Gasly ahead.
He's just about to come past the pit wall.
[Hamelin] Okay, Pierre, Max behind you.
[Gasly] Okay.
- [commentators] Oh!
- [commentator 2] Gasly has got a puncture!
[Gasly] I lost the tire.
[Hamelin] Stop by the pit exit.
Stop by the pit exit.
[Gasly] I don't know
if it's safe to go there.
[Hamelin] Okay, just stop
on the right-hand side. Stop on the right.
[commentator 3] Where does he go here?
Gasly has had to stop on the circuit.
It could be very dangerous
for the other drivers still on track.
[Loos] Uh, so the yellow flag
Gasly caused on the pit straight,
uh, I think that's made some people
abort their laps.
[Buxton] Motorsport operates
on the basis of flags.
A double-waved yellow means there is a...
a pretty desperate potential danger ahead.
And in motor racing terms,
there is no excuse.
The double-waved yellow means
slow down and be prepared to stop.
[commentator 3] Verstappen doesn't seem
to be slowing down here.
Foot to the floor still,
trying to beat Hamilton's time.
[commentator 1]
Verstappen across the line.
It's second place for the Red Bull driver.
[Lambiase] That's a good effort.
That's, uh, P2. Front row.
[Max] Oh, I tried.
[Horner] Well done, Max.
That's a good effort.
[Bono] That's P1, mate.
Four and a half tenths to Verstappen P2.
[Lewis] Yes! Let's go!
Great job, guys.
[tense music playing]
[Lewis] That was a double yellow there.
Did Max improve pace?
Interesting.
Ron?
Have you seen he's...
Have you seen he's improved
his sector... last sector on double yellow?
[Ron] Yeah. I've sent a note.
Did Max get a clean lap in at the end?
He had to back off the yellow flag.
No, there was no yellow flag there, no.
Is that a yellow or is that a white?
[Lewis] Shit! Double yellow.
It's not that easy
to see that yellow flag, but still.
Is that a penalty then?
[man 7] The thing is
it wasn't on the system.
[Lewis] Doesn't matter,
there's two yellow flags out.
[man 7] Yeah, you say that,
but they'll want Max on the front row, so...
[Lewis] You can't contest
a double yellow fucking flag. Come on.
[man 7] I know. Wait and see.
- Wait and see what happens.
- [Lewis] Yeah.
[tense music playing]
[commentator 1] Max Verstappen
is under investigation
and could receive a penalty
if the stewards believe...
[commentator 3] ...possible double yellow
flag violation in qualifying yesterday.
- [Horner] G'day.
- [Masi] Hello.
[Horner] Any news?
[Masi] Not... not as yet.
I'm going to have a bite to eat.
Is that good news or bad news, or...?
[Masi] I don't know. I think they're all
still writing and deliberating.
- Were you in the hearing?
- [Masi] No, I don't attend any hearings.
I've only ever...
I've only ever attended right of reviews.
So it sounds like a bit of a fuck-up, huh?
- [Masi] See what they come up with.
- Yeah, yeah. Okay.
[Masi] My role's multifaceted.
It goes from friend, to, uh, umpire,
to policeman, to safety officer.
If teams see something
that, uh, may result in a penalty,
they bring that to my attention.
[woman] Oh my God.
[commentator 3] The FIA
have just announced
Max Verstappen will have to drop
five places on the starting grid.
[commentator 1] Because of that infraction
yesterday in qualifying.
- [woman] Five places.
- [man 8 exhales sharply]
- [woman] Flipping heck.
- [man 8 laughs]
[Horner] What they saying for Max?
[Jos] It says, I think, five places.
[Coulthard] You're fucking joking?
That is fucking ridiculous.
- [Horner] And it's their fuck-up.
- [Jos] It's their fuck-up.
This outcome could, you know,
dictate the outcome certainly of this race
and therefore suddenly we go from having
a strong chance at the World Championship
to being odds against rather than odds on.
[commentator 2] Welcome along
to the Losail International Circuit.
It's the first-ever World Championship
Qatar Grand Prix.
[commentator 1] This race could be key
in Red Bull and Mercedes' chances
of winning both championships.
You know, we're gonna throw everything
at it, and, uh, we never give up.
[commentator 3] Mercedes are 11 points
ahead in the Constructors' Championship.
After that grid penalty, Max is starting
the race way back in seventh.
So if Bottas and Hamilton
can put in good performances,
Mercedes could put one hand
on that constructors' title.
[Bottas] It definitely takes two drivers
to win the constructors',
and some people might think,
"Okay, he's leaving. He doesn't care,"
but actually I... I do,
and, uh, I'm doing everything I can
to make that happen.
[tense music playing]
[engine revving]
[commentator 2] It's lights out
and away we go,
and it's a good start for Hamilton.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 2] Verstappen on the inside
has made a brilliant start,
but then goes off the track
and Fernando Alonso closes the door.
[commentator 1]
Eleventh is Valtteri Bottas.
He's lost five places at the start.
Horrible first lap for Bottas.
[Toto] What happened
with Valtteri at the start?
Come on, Valtteri, get these cars.
[Bottas] Yep, I am.
[Lambiase] DRS now enabled.
[Max] Yeah.
[commentator 1] Here comes Verstappen.
He breezes past the AlphaTauri of Gasly.
[Lambiase] Hamilton will start
to push a bit more now.
[Bono] Gap to Alonso, 4.1.
Verstappen right behind him.
[commentator 2] Max Verstappen has gone
from fourth to second.
It's Hamilton who leads,
and it's four seconds the gap.
[Bono] Verstappen now the car behind. 4.4.
So we need to at least maintain this gap.
[Lewis] Understood.
Where's Valtteri?
[commentator 3] Bottas is in fourth,
but he's really struggling on these tires.
[Bottas] Check for punctures.
Not sure. It feels a bit weird.
I have a puncture.
[commentator 1] Bottas is in the gravel!
That's not what Mercedes want at all.
Every point counts
in the constructors' title fight.
[groaning]
[man 9] Shit!
[commentator 1] Bottas is in big trouble.
There's sparks flying everywhere.
[Riki] Box. Box, box.
We'll retire the car. Cool the car.
[commentator 2] Valtteri Bottas
is retiring from this race.
[Bottas] Yep.
Normal day for me in the office.
Thanks, guys, anyway.
- It's a massive loss in the constructors'.
- [man 10] Yep.
[commentator 3] Lewis Hamilton first,
Max Verstappen second, Pérez in fourth,
and all of a sudden,
Red Bull have turned up the heat
in the Constructors' Championship.
[Pérez] Is this pace okay?
[Bird] Yeah, this pace is good.
[thrilling music playing]
[commentator 1] Lewis Hamilton
across the line
and wins the first-ever Qatar Grand Prix.
Yes! Come on!
[commentator 1] Max Verstappen
started seventh,
but he comes across the line
to finish second.
[Horner] Well done, mate. That was
damage limitation and a great recovery.
[Max] Yeah, that was fun.
[commentator 3] Pérez clinches fourth.
And with two races left,
the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull
has now dropped to just five points.
[Bottas] So much bad luck.
At some point, it started to feel
almost like a bit of a joke.
[Toto] That's a typically hell day
in the office, right? [chuckles]
- [Bottas] Yeah.
- [Toto] Doesn't... doesn't get any worse.
[Toto chuckles]
All good. All good.
[melodic instrumental playing]
- [Bottas] Hello.
- Hey.
- [Bottas] How are you? Good.
- [Toto] Good. And you?
[Bottas] Shoes on, off?
[Toto] If they are dirty,
like they look, yes, off.
- [Bottas laughs]
- I'll take mine off also out of loyalty.
[Toto] I've great respect
and admiration for Valtteri.
It is tremendously difficult
to motivate yourself
when you know
you're on your way out from the team.
It's difficult to cope.
[Toto] Valtteri,
what do you want to drink?
The most expensive wine you have.
- [Toto] Before lunch already?
- [laughs] No, no. Joking.
- Well, I think...
- Sparkling water, please.
- Do you want some candles for candlelight?
- [Bottas] Yeah, sure. Roses.
Thank you.
[Toto] He has been an integral part
of the team and the team's success.
And we will miss him.
It was such a difficult decision,
to be honest.
I wrestled with myself for a long time.
Because, uh, your role in the team
is fundamental.
That is what... what made us
win all these championships.
Mm. Of course I know it's been
amazing to be with Mercedes
and all the results we've made,
but at the same time also,
it... it's consuming.
Five years of trying
to beat Lewis... [laughs]
...you know, it's not easy,
but I think, for me, personally, it's...
it's the right time
for something different.
A different challenge
can be quite freeing.
- It's actually quite sad to leave.
- [Toto] Yeah.
But at the same time,
I think now is the right time for me.
I've given everything and, um...
- And I will for the remaining races.
- Yeah.
[Bottas] It would mean a lot to me
to kind of leave on a high.
To win five constructors' titles
together with the team
would be a big achievement already.
When I can't win the... win the title,
I want Lewis to win it.
So, I... I hope both of those things happen.
It would be, for me,
like, the perfect ending
of... of this... this era of... of my career.
Valtteri, I will be
always cheering for you.
Let's go for the constructor.
This is what we want. Two races to go.
Two times fun.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Welcome to Jeddah
for the first-ever
Saudi Arabia Formula 1 Grand Prix.
It's a brand-new track
and it's the fastest street circuit
of the season.
[fan 1] Toto!
You're the best, man.
- [Toto] Tell my wife!
- [fans laughing]
[commentator 3] A huge amount
at stake for teams and drivers
in what is the penultimate race
of the season.
- [fan 2] Vamos, Checo!
- [fan 3] Pérez, take Lewis out.
Max, world champion.
[fan 4] Mr. McLaren?
- You're a superstar.
- [fan 5] He's the best, by the way.
[Lewis] Uh, you're looking great
this morning.
[woman] Yeah? Thanks. [giggles]
You're looking great too.
I love the outfit.
[commentator 2] An eight-point difference
in the Drivers' Championship.
It's a five-point difference
in the Constructors' Championship.
Both championships can be
decided this weekend.
[Horner] Coming into Saudi,
we've got two races to go.
And we've got our first match point.
[chuckling] We can absolutely win
both championships.
If things fall right,
it could happen this weekend.
[tense music playing]
[Toto] This is exactly where
we operate well.
I love the Saudi track.
It's fast, it's dangerous.
It is a track where you have
to put your balls on the dashboard.
[tense music playing]
[commentator 2]
Welcome to what is sure to be
a very exciting qualifying session.
We've got to decide
who's gonna get pole position.
It's more to us than I thought
it was gonna be, this track.
[suspenseful music playing]
[commentator 1] It's qualifying underway
for the first time ever in Jeddah.
Lando Norris, a 1:28.5.
That puts him second fastest.
[Peckett] Nice first lap.
How's the balance?
[Ocon] Balance is okay so far.
[Adami] Track is clear. You can push.
[commentator 1] Here comes Carlos Sainz.
- Oh, he's off!
- [tires squealing]
[Sainz] Ai, ai, ai.
Ai, ai, ai, ai, ai, ai.
Shit.
Heart attack! Heart attack.
[commentator 4] Valtteri Bottas,
who's out front, deciding to go early.
[commentator 1] Bottas, with a 1:28.1.
That's the benchmark time.
- [Horner] You all right?
- [Max] I don't know.
[Horner] You got that dizziness again?
You've been drinking okay?
You're... you're hydrated?
- [Max] Yeah.
- [Horner] Think it's the lights?
[Max] Yeah, I dunno. Maybe.
- I don't need to throw up, but...
- [Horner] You just feel a bit... Yeah.
We'll get John to have a good look.
We've got an opportunity
to win this championship,
but Max is feeling really unwell.
You know, particularly with where we are
in the championship, it's a big concern.
[commentator 1] It's the final
qualifying session of the day.
[Lewis] Brakes are hot.
Need to hurry up, guys.
[commentator 2] This is boiling up
into a very, very good finish.
- [Lewis] Next lap, pushing?
- [Bono] A-firm. Next lap, pushing.
[commentator 1] Here comes Hamilton.
That's a rapid lap from Hamilton.
Provisional pole.
Now all eyes on Red Bull.
[chuckling] The one place you don't want
to feel bad is in a Formula 1 car,
particularly on a street circuit
the speed of which, you know, Saudi is.
[engine revving]
[Lambiase] Track is clear ahead of you.
Okay, let's go.
[commentator 2] What has Verstappen got
in answer to Lewis Hamilton?
Oh, did he touch the wall?
He got perilously close to it there,
Max Verstappen.
[commentator 1]
Verstappen and Red Bull know
how important pole would be
for both championships.
[Lambiase] Purple sector 1.
[commentator 2] That's the fastest
first sector time we've had so far.
Verstappen, absolutely flying
and can spoil the Mercedes party
and ruin their one-two!
As he hits the wall
right at the final corner,
and pole position slides out of his grasp!
[groaning]
[whistling]
[Max] Fucking hell.
[Lambiase] All okay, Max?
- [Max] Yeah.
- [Lambiase] Okay, mate?
[commentator 1] Verstappen will have
to settle for third.
Bottas will be second on the grid,
Hamilton first. A Mercedes front row.
That could be huge
for the Constructors' Championship.
[Bono] Well, that's just the most hectic
Q3 we've had in a long time.
So, yeah, P1. Valtteri, P2.
- [Lewis] You had me worried for a second.
- [Bono] Verstappen was on for a good one.
He really was on a flier, but, uh, yeah.
Nice job for, uh, keeping it cool.
[Jos] You think it's a good idea
to have a look?
[Horner] Yes, I do, yeah.
I think we need to check everything.
Maybe look at the visor
'cause I don't know about the light.
Maybe we go darker
on the visor or... I dunno.
Could be. Yep. We, uh...
[Horner] Yeah, but we need
to get it fully checked over.
Brutal. Four tenths, huh?
I mean, it would've been a proper lap.
It really would.
He'd have been, uh...
He'd have been on pole.
[Buxton] The question mark now,
after that lap,
is how much damage has been done.
In the race, there's no margin for error.
No room for mistakes.
It's gonna be great.
[suspenseful music playing]
[commentator 2] Welcome along to 50 laps
around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
This is a race under the lights
for the first time ever
here in Saudi Arabia.
[Russell] How are you doing?
[commentator 1] All eyes
on the Mercedes drivers
as the battle
for the Constructors' Championship
comes to a head.
Will they be able
to clinch it this weekend?
[Bottas] The luck really hasn't been
on my side with Mercedes.
Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.
My role is now helping
winning the Constructors' Championship.
And you do need two drivers for that.
I'll be racing until the very end.
We want... Red Bull,
we want our team to... to win everything.
Hopefully, I can do something to help Max.
[Max] You really want to be out there,
battling, like, lap by lap,
trying to overtake,
maybe a bit of wheel banging.
That, for me,
feels like a... a proper battle.
[Lambiase] Radio check, Max.
[Max] Yep, radio check.
[Bono] Last car approaching the grid.
[commentator 1] It's a Mercedes front row.
Hamilton is on pole,
Valtteri Bottas is second,
Max Verstappen is third,
the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc is fourth,
the Pérez' Red Bull is fifth.
[tense music playing]
[commentator 2] It's lights out
and away we go.
Bottas gets a decent start,
as does Hamilton.
Verstappen can't dive down the inside.
Hamilton takes the lead
into the first corner.
[Bono] So Valtteri the car behind.
Verstappen P3.
- [tires screeching]
- [clunking]
[commentator 3] And that's a Haas
into the barriers!
[groaning]
[Steiner] Fuck.
- [Gannon] Are you okay, Mick? You okay?
- [Mick] Yeah, I'm okay. Ugh!
- [Bono] So safety car. Safety car.
- [commentator 1] Safety car is out.
Everybody will slow down
and bunch up behind the safety car.
[Hamelin] Safety car. Safety car.
[Lambiase] Safety car deployed, Max.
[commentator 1] Will anyone use this
as an opportunity
to come into the pits
and stick on a fresh set of tires?
[siren wails]
- [Lewis] So we're pitting?
- [Bono] A-firm. Box, box.
[commentator 1] Hamilton pits.
From the race lead, the Mercedes is in.
[machinery whirring]
[commentator 1] And Red Bull stay out,
so Verstappen leads the Grand Prix.
[Max] Can the safety car go faster?
We're driving 100.
[Lambiase] Red flag, Max. Red flag.
[commentator 1] The marshals are waving
the red flag. The race is being suspended.
This really changes things.
- [Max] That means we are in the lead, no?
- [Lambiase] That's correct.
[commentator 3] Under a red flag,
Verstappen is allowed
to change to new tires anyway.
Hamilton has given that first place away
for no advantage.
Red Bull now at the front,
and with new tires.
[Lewis] That's bullshit.
[Bono] There's still possibilities for us.
[commentator 1] The drivers
will line up again to restart this race.
This time, the order is
Verstappen in pole, Hamilton second,
and Bottas in third.
[commentator 2] It's lights out
and away we go again.
Verstappen and Hamilton,
neck and neck going into turn one.
Hamilton's got a better start
and Hamilton goes into the first corner.
[commentator 1] Verstappen sends him
to the outside.
He's off the circuit. He's back in front!
[Lewis] He cut across the whole curb.
[Bono] Roger, Lewis. Yeah. We're on it.
[commentator 1] The stewards are gonna
have a look at that.
Verstappen overtaking off the racetrack.
[commentator 2] Verstappen in the lead
from Esteban Ocon,
and then comes Lewis Hamilton.
And there's another incident,
involving George Russell.
[Russell] What the fuck?
[commentator 2] And that's Sergio Pérez
who's been tagged!
[brakes squealing]
[gasping]
[indistinct exclamation]
[commentator 2]
It's finished for Haas sadly.
[Steiner] It's a fucking mess.
[commentator 2] Nikita Mazepin out.
- [Russell] Absolutely inevitable.
- [Urwin] Roger.
[Bird] How's the car, Checo?
Can you get going?
[Pérez] I can't, man.
I can't release the clutch.
[Bird] Okay, stop the car. Stop the car.
[Max] These standing starts
are insanely dangerous.
[commentator 3] As the debris
is cleared up,
we've heard
officials are gonna have another look
at that overtake by Verstappen.
[commentator 1] This could change things
all over again.
- [Horner] Hi, Michael.
- [Masi] Hi.
I'm going to drop you back behind Hamilton
based on what occurred at turn one, two.
[Horner] They're gonna make him start P3
behind Ocon and Hamilton.
[Marko] It's ridiculous.
[commentator 2] Prepare then
for the third start of the evening.
[commentator 1] We will have Ocon
in pole position, Hamilton in second,
and Max Verstappen lining up in third.
[commentator 2] Have you ever known
a race like this?
[Bono] And, Lewis, on the restart,
you can use strat five or seven
and overtake where appropriate.
[starting countdown beeps]
[commentator 2] Lights out and away we go!
Ocon ahead of Hamilton, but not by much.
Verstappen throws one to the inside.
Hamilton and Ocon touch!
[commentator 1] Verstappen takes the lead!
[cheering]
[Max] Check my right wheel.
[Lambiase] All okay
for the moment, Max. All okay.
[commentator 3] Further back,
Tsunoda approaching Sebastian Vettel.
[Spini] Overtake available.
[commentator 1] Tsunoda round the outside.
[Tsunoda] Fucking cunt! He...
- [tires screech]
- [commentator 1] Vettel spins out.
[Tsunoda] Oh, we're fucked.
[commentator 3]
The two Ferraris have gone past.
[commentator 1]
And now they're fighting each other.
[Sainz] Come on, Charles, don't do this.
[commentator 4] Looked pretty feisty.
[commentator 2]
Down the main straight we come.
Lewis Hamilton pulls out to the left,
gets past Ocon.
He had the pace. That was easy.
[commentator 1] Now the chase begins.
Verstappen in the lead, Hamilton second.
[Bono] Gap at 1.4.
[commentator 2] Lewis Hamilton is gaining,
and he is gaining on Max Verstappen.
[Bono] Lewis, push and overtake.
Just be careful.
[commentator 2] He's going for the move.
They go wheel to wheel!
They almost collided once again!
[commentator 1]
And Verstappen's off track again!
Hamilton avoids the collision.
[commentator 4]
Max doesn't like to yield, does he?
[commentator 1]
Verstappen keeps the lead of the race.
Michael. This is Toto, Michael.
[Masi] Toto, just give me a second.
[Lewis] That guy is fucking crazy.
[Bono] Yeah, copy that, Lewis.
We're on it.
[Masi] I'm going to ask Max
to give that position up.
[Horner] We felt we were pushed off there.
[Lambiase] Max, let's give the position
back to Hamilton.
Do that strategically.
No! Unbelievable!
- Fuck! Fuck!
- [indistinct yelling]
- [man 1 groaning] Oh my God!
- [man 2] Come on!
[Lewis] He just brake tested me.
I've just hit him, man. My wing's broken.
[commentator 1] It looks as though
Verstappen got on the brakes.
[Lewis] I didn't know what was going on.
[commentator 2] Verstappen continues
to lead this race,
but that incident is under investigation
by the stewards.
[Bono] Race control have instructed them
to give the place back.
[Lewis] Yeah, understood.
[commentator 2] Lap 43,
Hamilton now leads from Max Verstappen!
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Further back,
Valtteri Bottas is also pushing.
Bottas to the outside of Ricciardo
into turn one, and into fourth place.
[Riki] Next, Ocon. Ahead is Ocon.
[Peckett] Okay, mate, let's keep
that pace up. Bottas, 1.6 behind.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator 3] But this race isn't over.
[Riki] You got one more lap.
Don't back off.
[commentator 1] If Bottas
can beat Ocon to third,
the Constructors' Championship
could be as good as Mercedes'.
It all comes down to this last half a lap.
[commentator 2] Esteban Ocon trying
to hold on for a podium.
Bottas is trying to snatch it off him.
[Riki] Come on, Valtteri, you got this.
[commentator 1] Out of the final corner,
towards the checkered flag.
[commentator 2] Racing to the line.
Bottas has got Ocon right at the line!
- [Ocon] No! For fuck's sake.
- [Peckett] Sorry, mate.
[cheering]
[Bottas] Yeah! We got it! Ha!
[cheering]
[Lambiase] Hard luck with that.
[Max] It is what it is, mate.
[chuckles] I tried at least.
[Bono] Get in there, Lewis.
That has got to be
the craziest race I remember.
[Lewis] That's more like it. Come on.
[commentator 3] A truly dramatic race,
and the result for Mercedes
means they have one hand
on the Constructors' Championship trophy
for a record eighth time in a row.
[whirring]
He did his best, huh.
[Jos] He did everything that was possible,
but then he let him through,
then he drives in the back of him.
Well, we're gonna a go at that,
because, you know,
Max is under investigation for it,
but it's fucking Hamilton that...
- He lifted off to let him pass.
- Yeah.
[cheering]
We've won eight consecutive
World Championships.
That wasn't done in any other sport.
[indistinct announcement]
[Toto] We started the season
very much on the back foot,
but we managed to crawl back.
What the team has achieved
makes me incredibly proud.
What me and Lewis have been able
to achieve as teammates
I think could be best team
in the history of Formula 1 maybe,
so, um, it's pretty special.
The team are not there to win
a championship for one person,
but to win the championship as a whole.
Valtteri has just been a great teammate.
You know, it's been a privilege
to work with someone like that.
[commentator 1] There's only one race left
and the drivers' title is all to play for.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
are level on points.
Only one can become world champion
and it will be decided in the final race
of the season in Abu Dhabi.
[Horner] They got what they wanted.
It goes to the final race.
Next weekend.
We'll get the fuckers next weekend.
To have won the amount of races
that we have, if we don't come away
with the Drivers' Championship,
how do you pick yourself up after that?
We've got to do everything we can
to... to get this over the line.
[Toto] Two drivers
that come into the last race
with 396 and a half points.
Lewis is driving exceptionally,
and ultimately, the stopwatch never lies.
The quicker guy
is gonna win the championship.
You know what?
Hang on, let's see what Toto's saying.
Out of nowhere...
Oh, shut up.
Fucking idiot.
The guy has no fucking idea.
[commentator 2] Welcome along
to the final round of this 2021 season.
[Horner] It's been a hell of a journey.
[commentator 3] Max versus Lewis.
[Max] The world champion
against the young gun. A proper battle.
[Lewis] I've fought hard
for this World Championship.
You can imagine
the emotions are running high.
- No!
- Come on!
[commentator 2] Is it gonna be
a first World Championship for Verstappen?
Is it gonna be an eighth
World Championship for Lewis Hamilton?
[dramatic music playing]
We have loads to talk about.
[tense music playing]
[cars zooming]
[Wolff] This is a season like no other.
[commentator 1] This is gonna be
Hamilton's chance!
[crowd cheering]
[Horner] There has been just so much
of a cauldron of pressure.
[crunching]
[Horner] It's reached a level
I don't think anyone expected.
It's just been,
you know, insane.
Since Silverstone,
it's just gone up and up and up.
You can see it
bubbling over, boiling over.
[engine revving]
[commentator 2] And there's Verstappen.
It's wheel to wheel!
[Lewis] Max is kind of do or die.
It's like you're either crashing
or you're... or you're not going by.
[shocked gasping]
[Max] For me, the only thing
which matters is victory.
I want to become a world champion.
[clock ticking]
It's not just about me and Toto
or Max and Lewis.
[cheering]
[Horner] It's the whole team
that's competing as a team.
Going head-to-head.
- [machinery whirring]
- [engine revving]
[cars zooming]
[Max] That's what you get
when you don't leave space.
[Lewis] Oh, guys.
[Max] Fucking hell.
[Bono] Switch off the engine,
please, Lewis.
I think he pushes it to the limit
and probably beyond.
I like to think
that I fight hard and fair.
I have a track record
of fighting hard and fair.
I don't have a track record
of crashing with people.
[commentator 2]
They're gonna be talking about this
for a long, long time to come.
Two teams that aren't exactly
best of friends.
He... he doesn't leave me the space.
[Horner] Neither driver wanted to concede
and the end result was what we saw.
[reporter 1] How do they avoid contact
going forward?
[Horner] We try and make sure he's ahead
on the circuit. That's the easiest way.
[airplane engine idles]
[man 1] Max was behind
all the way through the corner,
had no chance of making it,
launched the car over the curb into Lewis.
The tire fell on his head.
[man 1] Max has posted though,
on social, that he was squeezed.
- [Toto] I'm not interested.
- [man 1] I'm just saying...
[Toto] I'm not interested in
any social media posts. Irrelevant.
I think Monza was an ugly accident,
because you could see
the tire marks on the car.
You don't want to even continue
that thought. What could have happened.
[man 1] "In the opinion of the stewards,
this maneuver was attempted too late
for the driver
to have the right to racing room,
and therefore find the driver of car 33
was predominantly to blame
for the incident."
[indistinct chatter over phone]
[in German] Max gets
a three-place grid penalty in Russia.
[man 2 on phone] In the end,
you have to admit you were lucky.
Yes, if you look at the recordings,
the wheel is on top of Lewis' helmet.
Uh... So, yes,
it could have ended really badly.
[man 2] Was that an act
that came of desperation, you think?
Yes, I mean, if you look at just the race,
Lewis has avoided the contact. Um...
Max knew if he didn't stay there,
the race was lost, so he stayed there.
[in English] When it was clear
that Lewis would probably come out ahead,
Max did
what was expected.
He just stopped him.
Ciao. Ciao, ciao.
[tense music playing]
[man 1] The car's been back today
to get everything stripped.
- So we've got Lewis's chassis.
- [Toto] Yeah.
[man 3] We're expecting damage
inside the structure.
[Toto] He was a lucky man.
[man 3] Oh yeah.
Just watch your hands. It's so sharp.
- [Toto] Yeah.
- [man 3] Anyone not in favor of the halo...
That was me, you know, four years ago.
I was fighting the halo.
And I was...
Thank God I didn't win that fight.
- [man 4] Have you seen Lewis's helmet?
- [Toto] Yeah.
- [man 4] Is it bad or...
- [Toto] It's damaged.
And you see tire marks.
Hopefully, it reminded everybody
this is one of the most dangerous
sports that exists.
And in a hard fight,
winning in the right way
is as important as winning.
- Thank you.
- [man 1] Thanks, Chris.
The one thing with this season, I think,
is everybody was excited about the fight.
Everyone was excited about the challenge.
But it is getting extreme.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Hamilton wins in Russia.
[Bono] Get in there, Lewis!
That's the 100.
[commentator 1]
Verstappen finishes second,
having started at the back of the grid.
[Horner] Stay calm.
We will get the fuckers.
[commentator 2] Everyone is now ready.
[Buxton] There are two trophies,
two championships at stake.
One for the individual drivers,
and one for the teams.
And with both within reach,
everyone's pushing themselves
to the absolute limit.
[commentator 2] It's a double podium
for Red Bull.
[Lewis] Shit,
why did you give up that space?
Shouldn't have come in, man. I told you!
[Gow] There's hardly anything separating
the cars, the drivers, the teams.
[commentator 2] For the first time
on US soil,
Max Verstappen wins the US Grand Prix!
Lewis Hamilton has to settle for second.
[commentator 1] The tension
is building race after race.
[reporter 2] I think tactical thinking
for the coming races...
- [Toto] Do you drink?
- [reporter 2] Is it bullshit?
Do you drink during the day?
- [reporter 2] No, no, no.
- You do.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 2] Three abreast
at the moment. Into turn one we go.
Verstappen is into the lead,
ahead of Hamilton.
[Horner] Come on!
[commentator 2] Max Verstappen wins
the Mexico City Grand Prix!
[Buxton] They have both had to mount
the most incredible challenges.
[chuckling] It's pretty exciting
to be fair.
[commentator 2] Here goes Hamilton.
He's trying to take the lead
from Verstappen,
but he is forced wide by Verstappen!
Fucking asshole!
[Max] I'm not sure
we can make this to the end.
[commentator 2]
Hamilton pulls ahead of Verstappen.
[cheering]
[commentator 2] He has gone from last
all the way to first.
[Lewis] Whoo! Yes! Come on, guys!
[fading crowd cheers]
And now there's only three races left.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Welcome to the desert.
We're in Qatar
for the first of this year's
brand-new circuits in the Middle East.
[Toto] Morning.
[commentator 1 in English] The battle
for the championships are heating up.
[man] Apparently it hasn't rained
in this country for over a year.
- Over a year?
- [man] Yeah.
[Norris] Ciao. Buongiorno. [giggles]
- What's "buongiorno?" Good morning?
- [Sefton] Yeah.
- Oh.
- [Sefton] Or "hello."
- I said, "Ciao. Buongiorno."
- [Sefton] Who?
[Norris] To Mattia.
[Ricciardo chuckles] Yes!
Gasly!
[Gow] Qatar is a brand-new track
for Formula 1.
They're going into the unknown.
They don't have years of data to analyze.
It's gonna challenge every single team
to the absolute maximum.
It is difficult for the driver.
You need to get up to speed very fast.
[Steiner] Until we go on the race track,
nobody will know what is coming next.
That risk element is involved.
Some people like this risk element.
And I like it.
You know, it doesn't scare me.
It's a new track. Will it suit us?
Will it suit Mercedes? We have no idea.
[Pérez] How long is the main straight?
Full throttle...
I think it's 1.2K full throttle.
- Fuck, it's long.
- Yeah.
[commentator 1] With so much at stake,
how will this race affect
the drivers' title championship fight
between Verstappen and Hamilton?
But also for the teams.
They're battling for that lucrative
Constructors' Championship,
where Mercedes currently
have a narrow 11-point lead.
With everything so tight,
everyone's gonna be trying
everything they can
to throw their rivals off.
The fight is very much on.
[machinery whirring]
[Toto] Can you reduce press
to the minimum level.
- Yes, no problem.
- [distant cars zooming]
[Toto] Let Christian do
all the press work. He enjoys that.
- [reporter 3] Bonjour.
- Bonjour.
[reporter 3] There seems to be
high tension between the drivers,
between the team principals.
Is it good for Formula 1 or is it a bit...
It's a competition, you know?
It's not a... It's not a kids club.
And, you know,
we operate in different ways.
Toto will shout and scream at the camera.
Maybe I'm a little bit more, um...
calm.
[Toto] Christian is a bit like
a Jack Russell Terrier
who likes to snap at your heels.
It is expected that every team principal
is gonna fight
for the benefit of his own team.
But whining
in the press is something that I have seen
on a new level this year.
[Horner] For the first time,
you've seen him under pressure.
He maybe feels
that I antagonize him a bit,
but that's part of the sport.
[distant cars zooming]
- [Toto] With whom am I in the conference?
- [man 1] Christian.
[Toto] Oh, that's fun. Huh!
- [man 2] I'll be watching that one.
- [Toto] Oh, that's fun.
[Horner] Do you reckon I should go
for a toasting or go gentle?
[woman] Let him crumble.
I could have him in a fight.
- Oh yeah.
- [Horner] I might be shorter, but I'm...
- [woman] A bit more nippity.
- [Horner] Exactly.
I can completely understand Christian.
You know, he's watched Toto winning
for so many years.
It's clear that that causes
a certain resentment, and...
that's competition.
You know, it can get tough.
It can get ugly.
[Horner] Right. Showtime.
[purposeful music playing]
[Toto] Where's the circus show?
- Where is the circus show?
- [man 3] At the end.
- [man 4] This is making all their weekend.
- [Horner] I know.
[man 4] It's like a ring walk.
- [Horner] What, sorry? Yeah.
- It's like a ring walk, like boxers.
[man 5] No scratching or biting,
all right?
Have fun!
[Toto] Okay.
[tense music playing]
[camera shutters clicking]
- [Horner] Good afternoon.
- [Toto] Good afternoon.
[host] Welcome to
the Friday press conference
ahead of the 2021
FIA Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix.
As you can see, we're joined
by Toto Wolff and Christian Horner.
[reporter 4] How would you describe
relations at the moment
between Red Bull and, uh, Mercedes?
Would you say there's still mutual respect
as you fight these last few rounds?
[camera shutters clicking]
[host] Who'd like to start?
Christian, please.
[Horner] There is no relationship.
I don't need to kiss his arse
or anything like that.
You know, I think that would be
dishonest in... in... in many respects,
to fake a facade,
when, you know, you're...
you're competing against each other.
We're fighting for the World Championship
and the Constructors' Championship,
and, uh, we're gonna push to the maximum.
We've worked hard.
[host] Toto?
[Toto] It's clear that this is tough.
It's the World Championship
of the highest category in motor racing.
Um, and what started as Olympic boxing
went to pro boxing, and is now MMA.
We are in the ring there
and gloves are off.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [man 5] Some good lines that you got in.
- Yeah, good.
[Toto in German]
What's his thing with my ass?
I mean, my ass!
[Domenicali] Formula 1,
it's a big sporting fight.
Everyone is trying to have
a tactical advantage.
So you... you try
to use psychological pressure
in order to... to... to win this fight.
[in German] The whole press conference
is so stupid.
The stuff he says, right?
[man 6] Let them talk into emptiness.
He's gonna talk, talk, talk.
Yeah. Talk, talk, talk.
[in English] Sport is brutal.
You need to be ruthless, competitive.
But I don't believe that to be successful
you need to be an asshole.
[machinery whirring]
[Buxton] The championship battle
is raging as much off the track
as it is on the track this year.
It's starting to become more of what can
be fought for and won in the shadows.
Sometimes, the best tool you have
is to protest your rival
to the governing body.
[notifications whistle]
[reporter] Is your suspicion
that the Mercedes rear wing
is somehow dumping drag?
Yes.
[Lewis] Are they testing my car?
They said that they'd pull my car in.
[man 7] They'll do normal checks.
Then there's another check that Red Bull
have sort of invented with the FIA.
- [Lewis] When? Today?
- [man 7] Uh... a couple of days ago.
It's not a regulatory check.
- [Lewis] What?
- [man 7] So it's not...
- Well...
- [Lewis] And we let them do that test?
That's fucking bullshit.
- [man 7] No, we will let them do it...
- [Lewis] Why?
[man 7] There's nothing wrong
with the wing.
[Gow] Teams are protesting
anything and everything.
It's driving standards,
it's the cars, the wings.
They're just throwing everything
at each other
to try and gain some sort of advantage.
[Lewis] That's bullshit that they can do
a test that we've not even tested for.
They're allowed to do it.
[man 7] The thing is, the last few races,
the gap we've had, that's car performance.
- Not...
- [Lewis] Yeah.
- [man 7] Here, we're the same on the...
- [Lewis] I've done a few good laps too.
- [man 7] I know you have.
- [all laugh]
- [Lewis] Never gives me credit.
- [man 7] I do.
- [Lewis] "That's all car performance."
- [man 7] No, I think...
[Buxton] You don't have
to win your protest,
but by getting their cars
torn to pieces, investigated,
your hope is
that you put them under pressure.
[suspenseful music playing]
[exhales sharply]
Brazil was just epic in so many...
Now there's all the cameras coming.
And just the response
has been just... incredible.
You... Sorry, guys... Are you guys...
- [mumbles indistinctly]
- [camera shutters clicking]
[Buxton] Lewis,
he's under constant scrutiny.
I think lot of people are waiting
for that moment when he trips up.
- [Lewis] Oh, shit!
- [man 8 yells]
- [Lewis] Are you okay?
- [man 8] Thank you.
- [Lewis] You all right? Yeah?
- [man 8] Yeah.
Can't imagine what it's like
to constantly have a camera in your face.
[Lewis] I feel like there's a time
and a place for cameras.
Give me a fucking second to answer these
and I'll pose for some shots.
[camera shutters clicking]
There's always been press focus
and press attention on Max,
but I don't think
it's as intrusive or constant.
- Like that?
- [Albon] Yeah. [laughs]
Or, like, tighter?
He's still the same guy that turned up
at the team as a 16-year-old.
- [Max] Back straight, like that?
- [Albon] Yeah.
[Albon coughs, laughs]
[Pérez] That looks weird, man.
What are you thinking of?
[all giggle]
This does look a bit weird.
[commentator 1] It's time for qualifying
under the lights here in Qatar.
The battle for the two championships
ramping up,
and a crucial qualifying session ahead
as Mercedes battle Red Bull.
- [Horner] Happy?
- [Max] Yeah.
[Horner] I think that downforce
is gonna work for you.
- Have fun.
- [Max] Yep.
[suspenseful music playing]
- [machinery whirring]
- [Lewis] Radio check.
[Bono] Radio's loud and clear, Lewis.
[commentator 2] Green light then
at the end of the pit lane.
The main contenders are getting ready.
[engine revving]
[engine revving loudly]
[thrilling music playing]
[commentator 2] Hamilton will be the first
to start his flying lap.
Hamilton absolutely flying on this lap.
Only three poles
during the course of this season,
but have Mercedes
got the advantage tonight?
It is a 1:20.8 for Lewis Hamilton.
[Bono] Okay, Lewis, let's just see
where the others come in.
[commentator 2] Verstappen has to find
half a second on his final flying lap.
[Lambiase] Look out for Gasly ahead.
He's just about to come past the pit wall.
[Hamelin] Okay, Pierre, Max behind you.
[Gasly] Okay.
- [commentators] Oh!
- [commentator 2] Gasly has got a puncture!
[Gasly] I lost the tire.
[Hamelin] Stop by the pit exit.
Stop by the pit exit.
[Gasly] I don't know
if it's safe to go there.
[Hamelin] Okay, just stop
on the right-hand side. Stop on the right.
[commentator 3] Where does he go here?
Gasly has had to stop on the circuit.
It could be very dangerous
for the other drivers still on track.
[Loos] Uh, so the yellow flag
Gasly caused on the pit straight,
uh, I think that's made some people
abort their laps.
[Buxton] Motorsport operates
on the basis of flags.
A double-waved yellow means there is a...
a pretty desperate potential danger ahead.
And in motor racing terms,
there is no excuse.
The double-waved yellow means
slow down and be prepared to stop.
[commentator 3] Verstappen doesn't seem
to be slowing down here.
Foot to the floor still,
trying to beat Hamilton's time.
[commentator 1]
Verstappen across the line.
It's second place for the Red Bull driver.
[Lambiase] That's a good effort.
That's, uh, P2. Front row.
[Max] Oh, I tried.
[Horner] Well done, Max.
That's a good effort.
[Bono] That's P1, mate.
Four and a half tenths to Verstappen P2.
[Lewis] Yes! Let's go!
Great job, guys.
[tense music playing]
[Lewis] That was a double yellow there.
Did Max improve pace?
Interesting.
Ron?
Have you seen he's...
Have you seen he's improved
his sector... last sector on double yellow?
[Ron] Yeah. I've sent a note.
Did Max get a clean lap in at the end?
He had to back off the yellow flag.
No, there was no yellow flag there, no.
Is that a yellow or is that a white?
[Lewis] Shit! Double yellow.
It's not that easy
to see that yellow flag, but still.
Is that a penalty then?
[man 7] The thing is
it wasn't on the system.
[Lewis] Doesn't matter,
there's two yellow flags out.
[man 7] Yeah, you say that,
but they'll want Max on the front row, so...
[Lewis] You can't contest
a double yellow fucking flag. Come on.
[man 7] I know. Wait and see.
- Wait and see what happens.
- [Lewis] Yeah.
[tense music playing]
[commentator 1] Max Verstappen
is under investigation
and could receive a penalty
if the stewards believe...
[commentator 3] ...possible double yellow
flag violation in qualifying yesterday.
- [Horner] G'day.
- [Masi] Hello.
[Horner] Any news?
[Masi] Not... not as yet.
I'm going to have a bite to eat.
Is that good news or bad news, or...?
[Masi] I don't know. I think they're all
still writing and deliberating.
- Were you in the hearing?
- [Masi] No, I don't attend any hearings.
I've only ever...
I've only ever attended right of reviews.
So it sounds like a bit of a fuck-up, huh?
- [Masi] See what they come up with.
- Yeah, yeah. Okay.
[Masi] My role's multifaceted.
It goes from friend, to, uh, umpire,
to policeman, to safety officer.
If teams see something
that, uh, may result in a penalty,
they bring that to my attention.
[woman] Oh my God.
[commentator 3] The FIA
have just announced
Max Verstappen will have to drop
five places on the starting grid.
[commentator 1] Because of that infraction
yesterday in qualifying.
- [woman] Five places.
- [man 8 exhales sharply]
- [woman] Flipping heck.
- [man 8 laughs]
[Horner] What they saying for Max?
[Jos] It says, I think, five places.
[Coulthard] You're fucking joking?
That is fucking ridiculous.
- [Horner] And it's their fuck-up.
- [Jos] It's their fuck-up.
This outcome could, you know,
dictate the outcome certainly of this race
and therefore suddenly we go from having
a strong chance at the World Championship
to being odds against rather than odds on.
[commentator 2] Welcome along
to the Losail International Circuit.
It's the first-ever World Championship
Qatar Grand Prix.
[commentator 1] This race could be key
in Red Bull and Mercedes' chances
of winning both championships.
You know, we're gonna throw everything
at it, and, uh, we never give up.
[commentator 3] Mercedes are 11 points
ahead in the Constructors' Championship.
After that grid penalty, Max is starting
the race way back in seventh.
So if Bottas and Hamilton
can put in good performances,
Mercedes could put one hand
on that constructors' title.
[Bottas] It definitely takes two drivers
to win the constructors',
and some people might think,
"Okay, he's leaving. He doesn't care,"
but actually I... I do,
and, uh, I'm doing everything I can
to make that happen.
[tense music playing]
[engine revving]
[commentator 2] It's lights out
and away we go,
and it's a good start for Hamilton.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 2] Verstappen on the inside
has made a brilliant start,
but then goes off the track
and Fernando Alonso closes the door.
[commentator 1]
Eleventh is Valtteri Bottas.
He's lost five places at the start.
Horrible first lap for Bottas.
[Toto] What happened
with Valtteri at the start?
Come on, Valtteri, get these cars.
[Bottas] Yep, I am.
[Lambiase] DRS now enabled.
[Max] Yeah.
[commentator 1] Here comes Verstappen.
He breezes past the AlphaTauri of Gasly.
[Lambiase] Hamilton will start
to push a bit more now.
[Bono] Gap to Alonso, 4.1.
Verstappen right behind him.
[commentator 2] Max Verstappen has gone
from fourth to second.
It's Hamilton who leads,
and it's four seconds the gap.
[Bono] Verstappen now the car behind. 4.4.
So we need to at least maintain this gap.
[Lewis] Understood.
Where's Valtteri?
[commentator 3] Bottas is in fourth,
but he's really struggling on these tires.
[Bottas] Check for punctures.
Not sure. It feels a bit weird.
I have a puncture.
[commentator 1] Bottas is in the gravel!
That's not what Mercedes want at all.
Every point counts
in the constructors' title fight.
[groaning]
[man 9] Shit!
[commentator 1] Bottas is in big trouble.
There's sparks flying everywhere.
[Riki] Box. Box, box.
We'll retire the car. Cool the car.
[commentator 2] Valtteri Bottas
is retiring from this race.
[Bottas] Yep.
Normal day for me in the office.
Thanks, guys, anyway.
- It's a massive loss in the constructors'.
- [man 10] Yep.
[commentator 3] Lewis Hamilton first,
Max Verstappen second, Pérez in fourth,
and all of a sudden,
Red Bull have turned up the heat
in the Constructors' Championship.
[Pérez] Is this pace okay?
[Bird] Yeah, this pace is good.
[thrilling music playing]
[commentator 1] Lewis Hamilton
across the line
and wins the first-ever Qatar Grand Prix.
Yes! Come on!
[commentator 1] Max Verstappen
started seventh,
but he comes across the line
to finish second.
[Horner] Well done, mate. That was
damage limitation and a great recovery.
[Max] Yeah, that was fun.
[commentator 3] Pérez clinches fourth.
And with two races left,
the gap between Mercedes and Red Bull
has now dropped to just five points.
[Bottas] So much bad luck.
At some point, it started to feel
almost like a bit of a joke.
[Toto] That's a typically hell day
in the office, right? [chuckles]
- [Bottas] Yeah.
- [Toto] Doesn't... doesn't get any worse.
[Toto chuckles]
All good. All good.
[melodic instrumental playing]
- [Bottas] Hello.
- Hey.
- [Bottas] How are you? Good.
- [Toto] Good. And you?
[Bottas] Shoes on, off?
[Toto] If they are dirty,
like they look, yes, off.
- [Bottas laughs]
- I'll take mine off also out of loyalty.
[Toto] I've great respect
and admiration for Valtteri.
It is tremendously difficult
to motivate yourself
when you know
you're on your way out from the team.
It's difficult to cope.
[Toto] Valtteri,
what do you want to drink?
The most expensive wine you have.
- [Toto] Before lunch already?
- [laughs] No, no. Joking.
- Well, I think...
- Sparkling water, please.
- Do you want some candles for candlelight?
- [Bottas] Yeah, sure. Roses.
Thank you.
[Toto] He has been an integral part
of the team and the team's success.
And we will miss him.
It was such a difficult decision,
to be honest.
I wrestled with myself for a long time.
Because, uh, your role in the team
is fundamental.
That is what... what made us
win all these championships.
Mm. Of course I know it's been
amazing to be with Mercedes
and all the results we've made,
but at the same time also,
it... it's consuming.
Five years of trying
to beat Lewis... [laughs]
...you know, it's not easy,
but I think, for me, personally, it's...
it's the right time
for something different.
A different challenge
can be quite freeing.
- It's actually quite sad to leave.
- [Toto] Yeah.
But at the same time,
I think now is the right time for me.
I've given everything and, um...
- And I will for the remaining races.
- Yeah.
[Bottas] It would mean a lot to me
to kind of leave on a high.
To win five constructors' titles
together with the team
would be a big achievement already.
When I can't win the... win the title,
I want Lewis to win it.
So, I... I hope both of those things happen.
It would be, for me,
like, the perfect ending
of... of this... this era of... of my career.
Valtteri, I will be
always cheering for you.
Let's go for the constructor.
This is what we want. Two races to go.
Two times fun.
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Welcome to Jeddah
for the first-ever
Saudi Arabia Formula 1 Grand Prix.
It's a brand-new track
and it's the fastest street circuit
of the season.
[fan 1] Toto!
You're the best, man.
- [Toto] Tell my wife!
- [fans laughing]
[commentator 3] A huge amount
at stake for teams and drivers
in what is the penultimate race
of the season.
- [fan 2] Vamos, Checo!
- [fan 3] Pérez, take Lewis out.
Max, world champion.
[fan 4] Mr. McLaren?
- You're a superstar.
- [fan 5] He's the best, by the way.
[Lewis] Uh, you're looking great
this morning.
[woman] Yeah? Thanks. [giggles]
You're looking great too.
I love the outfit.
[commentator 2] An eight-point difference
in the Drivers' Championship.
It's a five-point difference
in the Constructors' Championship.
Both championships can be
decided this weekend.
[Horner] Coming into Saudi,
we've got two races to go.
And we've got our first match point.
[chuckling] We can absolutely win
both championships.
If things fall right,
it could happen this weekend.
[tense music playing]
[Toto] This is exactly where
we operate well.
I love the Saudi track.
It's fast, it's dangerous.
It is a track where you have
to put your balls on the dashboard.
[tense music playing]
[commentator 2]
Welcome to what is sure to be
a very exciting qualifying session.
We've got to decide
who's gonna get pole position.
It's more to us than I thought
it was gonna be, this track.
[suspenseful music playing]
[commentator 1] It's qualifying underway
for the first time ever in Jeddah.
Lando Norris, a 1:28.5.
That puts him second fastest.
[Peckett] Nice first lap.
How's the balance?
[Ocon] Balance is okay so far.
[Adami] Track is clear. You can push.
[commentator 1] Here comes Carlos Sainz.
- Oh, he's off!
- [tires squealing]
[Sainz] Ai, ai, ai.
Ai, ai, ai, ai, ai, ai.
Shit.
Heart attack! Heart attack.
[commentator 4] Valtteri Bottas,
who's out front, deciding to go early.
[commentator 1] Bottas, with a 1:28.1.
That's the benchmark time.
- [Horner] You all right?
- [Max] I don't know.
[Horner] You got that dizziness again?
You've been drinking okay?
You're... you're hydrated?
- [Max] Yeah.
- [Horner] Think it's the lights?
[Max] Yeah, I dunno. Maybe.
- I don't need to throw up, but...
- [Horner] You just feel a bit... Yeah.
We'll get John to have a good look.
We've got an opportunity
to win this championship,
but Max is feeling really unwell.
You know, particularly with where we are
in the championship, it's a big concern.
[commentator 1] It's the final
qualifying session of the day.
[Lewis] Brakes are hot.
Need to hurry up, guys.
[commentator 2] This is boiling up
into a very, very good finish.
- [Lewis] Next lap, pushing?
- [Bono] A-firm. Next lap, pushing.
[commentator 1] Here comes Hamilton.
That's a rapid lap from Hamilton.
Provisional pole.
Now all eyes on Red Bull.
[chuckling] The one place you don't want
to feel bad is in a Formula 1 car,
particularly on a street circuit
the speed of which, you know, Saudi is.
[engine revving]
[Lambiase] Track is clear ahead of you.
Okay, let's go.
[commentator 2] What has Verstappen got
in answer to Lewis Hamilton?
Oh, did he touch the wall?
He got perilously close to it there,
Max Verstappen.
[commentator 1]
Verstappen and Red Bull know
how important pole would be
for both championships.
[Lambiase] Purple sector 1.
[commentator 2] That's the fastest
first sector time we've had so far.
Verstappen, absolutely flying
and can spoil the Mercedes party
and ruin their one-two!
As he hits the wall
right at the final corner,
and pole position slides out of his grasp!
[groaning]
[whistling]
[Max] Fucking hell.
[Lambiase] All okay, Max?
- [Max] Yeah.
- [Lambiase] Okay, mate?
[commentator 1] Verstappen will have
to settle for third.
Bottas will be second on the grid,
Hamilton first. A Mercedes front row.
That could be huge
for the Constructors' Championship.
[Bono] Well, that's just the most hectic
Q3 we've had in a long time.
So, yeah, P1. Valtteri, P2.
- [Lewis] You had me worried for a second.
- [Bono] Verstappen was on for a good one.
He really was on a flier, but, uh, yeah.
Nice job for, uh, keeping it cool.
[Jos] You think it's a good idea
to have a look?
[Horner] Yes, I do, yeah.
I think we need to check everything.
Maybe look at the visor
'cause I don't know about the light.
Maybe we go darker
on the visor or... I dunno.
Could be. Yep. We, uh...
[Horner] Yeah, but we need
to get it fully checked over.
Brutal. Four tenths, huh?
I mean, it would've been a proper lap.
It really would.
He'd have been, uh...
He'd have been on pole.
[Buxton] The question mark now,
after that lap,
is how much damage has been done.
In the race, there's no margin for error.
No room for mistakes.
It's gonna be great.
[suspenseful music playing]
[commentator 2] Welcome along to 50 laps
around the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
This is a race under the lights
for the first time ever
here in Saudi Arabia.
[Russell] How are you doing?
[commentator 1] All eyes
on the Mercedes drivers
as the battle
for the Constructors' Championship
comes to a head.
Will they be able
to clinch it this weekend?
[Bottas] The luck really hasn't been
on my side with Mercedes.
Maybe it just wasn't meant to be.
My role is now helping
winning the Constructors' Championship.
And you do need two drivers for that.
I'll be racing until the very end.
We want... Red Bull,
we want our team to... to win everything.
Hopefully, I can do something to help Max.
[Max] You really want to be out there,
battling, like, lap by lap,
trying to overtake,
maybe a bit of wheel banging.
That, for me,
feels like a... a proper battle.
[Lambiase] Radio check, Max.
[Max] Yep, radio check.
[Bono] Last car approaching the grid.
[commentator 1] It's a Mercedes front row.
Hamilton is on pole,
Valtteri Bottas is second,
Max Verstappen is third,
the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc is fourth,
the Pérez' Red Bull is fifth.
[tense music playing]
[commentator 2] It's lights out
and away we go.
Bottas gets a decent start,
as does Hamilton.
Verstappen can't dive down the inside.
Hamilton takes the lead
into the first corner.
[Bono] So Valtteri the car behind.
Verstappen P3.
- [tires screeching]
- [clunking]
[commentator 3] And that's a Haas
into the barriers!
[groaning]
[Steiner] Fuck.
- [Gannon] Are you okay, Mick? You okay?
- [Mick] Yeah, I'm okay. Ugh!
- [Bono] So safety car. Safety car.
- [commentator 1] Safety car is out.
Everybody will slow down
and bunch up behind the safety car.
[Hamelin] Safety car. Safety car.
[Lambiase] Safety car deployed, Max.
[commentator 1] Will anyone use this
as an opportunity
to come into the pits
and stick on a fresh set of tires?
[siren wails]
- [Lewis] So we're pitting?
- [Bono] A-firm. Box, box.
[commentator 1] Hamilton pits.
From the race lead, the Mercedes is in.
[machinery whirring]
[commentator 1] And Red Bull stay out,
so Verstappen leads the Grand Prix.
[Max] Can the safety car go faster?
We're driving 100.
[Lambiase] Red flag, Max. Red flag.
[commentator 1] The marshals are waving
the red flag. The race is being suspended.
This really changes things.
- [Max] That means we are in the lead, no?
- [Lambiase] That's correct.
[commentator 3] Under a red flag,
Verstappen is allowed
to change to new tires anyway.
Hamilton has given that first place away
for no advantage.
Red Bull now at the front,
and with new tires.
[Lewis] That's bullshit.
[Bono] There's still possibilities for us.
[commentator 1] The drivers
will line up again to restart this race.
This time, the order is
Verstappen in pole, Hamilton second,
and Bottas in third.
[commentator 2] It's lights out
and away we go again.
Verstappen and Hamilton,
neck and neck going into turn one.
Hamilton's got a better start
and Hamilton goes into the first corner.
[commentator 1] Verstappen sends him
to the outside.
He's off the circuit. He's back in front!
[Lewis] He cut across the whole curb.
[Bono] Roger, Lewis. Yeah. We're on it.
[commentator 1] The stewards are gonna
have a look at that.
Verstappen overtaking off the racetrack.
[commentator 2] Verstappen in the lead
from Esteban Ocon,
and then comes Lewis Hamilton.
And there's another incident,
involving George Russell.
[Russell] What the fuck?
[commentator 2] And that's Sergio Pérez
who's been tagged!
[brakes squealing]
[gasping]
[indistinct exclamation]
[commentator 2]
It's finished for Haas sadly.
[Steiner] It's a fucking mess.
[commentator 2] Nikita Mazepin out.
- [Russell] Absolutely inevitable.
- [Urwin] Roger.
[Bird] How's the car, Checo?
Can you get going?
[Pérez] I can't, man.
I can't release the clutch.
[Bird] Okay, stop the car. Stop the car.
[Max] These standing starts
are insanely dangerous.
[commentator 3] As the debris
is cleared up,
we've heard
officials are gonna have another look
at that overtake by Verstappen.
[commentator 1] This could change things
all over again.
- [Horner] Hi, Michael.
- [Masi] Hi.
I'm going to drop you back behind Hamilton
based on what occurred at turn one, two.
[Horner] They're gonna make him start P3
behind Ocon and Hamilton.
[Marko] It's ridiculous.
[commentator 2] Prepare then
for the third start of the evening.
[commentator 1] We will have Ocon
in pole position, Hamilton in second,
and Max Verstappen lining up in third.
[commentator 2] Have you ever known
a race like this?
[Bono] And, Lewis, on the restart,
you can use strat five or seven
and overtake where appropriate.
[starting countdown beeps]
[commentator 2] Lights out and away we go!
Ocon ahead of Hamilton, but not by much.
Verstappen throws one to the inside.
Hamilton and Ocon touch!
[commentator 1] Verstappen takes the lead!
[cheering]
[Max] Check my right wheel.
[Lambiase] All okay
for the moment, Max. All okay.
[commentator 3] Further back,
Tsunoda approaching Sebastian Vettel.
[Spini] Overtake available.
[commentator 1] Tsunoda round the outside.
[Tsunoda] Fucking cunt! He...
- [tires screech]
- [commentator 1] Vettel spins out.
[Tsunoda] Oh, we're fucked.
[commentator 3]
The two Ferraris have gone past.
[commentator 1]
And now they're fighting each other.
[Sainz] Come on, Charles, don't do this.
[commentator 4] Looked pretty feisty.
[commentator 2]
Down the main straight we come.
Lewis Hamilton pulls out to the left,
gets past Ocon.
He had the pace. That was easy.
[commentator 1] Now the chase begins.
Verstappen in the lead, Hamilton second.
[Bono] Gap at 1.4.
[commentator 2] Lewis Hamilton is gaining,
and he is gaining on Max Verstappen.
[Bono] Lewis, push and overtake.
Just be careful.
[commentator 2] He's going for the move.
They go wheel to wheel!
They almost collided once again!
[commentator 1]
And Verstappen's off track again!
Hamilton avoids the collision.
[commentator 4]
Max doesn't like to yield, does he?
[commentator 1]
Verstappen keeps the lead of the race.
Michael. This is Toto, Michael.
[Masi] Toto, just give me a second.
[Lewis] That guy is fucking crazy.
[Bono] Yeah, copy that, Lewis.
We're on it.
[Masi] I'm going to ask Max
to give that position up.
[Horner] We felt we were pushed off there.
[Lambiase] Max, let's give the position
back to Hamilton.
Do that strategically.
No! Unbelievable!
- Fuck! Fuck!
- [indistinct yelling]
- [man 1 groaning] Oh my God!
- [man 2] Come on!
[Lewis] He just brake tested me.
I've just hit him, man. My wing's broken.
[commentator 1] It looks as though
Verstappen got on the brakes.
[Lewis] I didn't know what was going on.
[commentator 2] Verstappen continues
to lead this race,
but that incident is under investigation
by the stewards.
[Bono] Race control have instructed them
to give the place back.
[Lewis] Yeah, understood.
[commentator 2] Lap 43,
Hamilton now leads from Max Verstappen!
[dramatic music playing]
[commentator 1] Further back,
Valtteri Bottas is also pushing.
Bottas to the outside of Ricciardo
into turn one, and into fourth place.
[Riki] Next, Ocon. Ahead is Ocon.
[Peckett] Okay, mate, let's keep
that pace up. Bottas, 1.6 behind.
[crowd cheering]
[commentator 3] But this race isn't over.
[Riki] You got one more lap.
Don't back off.
[commentator 1] If Bottas
can beat Ocon to third,
the Constructors' Championship
could be as good as Mercedes'.
It all comes down to this last half a lap.
[commentator 2] Esteban Ocon trying
to hold on for a podium.
Bottas is trying to snatch it off him.
[Riki] Come on, Valtteri, you got this.
[commentator 1] Out of the final corner,
towards the checkered flag.
[commentator 2] Racing to the line.
Bottas has got Ocon right at the line!
- [Ocon] No! For fuck's sake.
- [Peckett] Sorry, mate.
[cheering]
[Bottas] Yeah! We got it! Ha!
[cheering]
[Lambiase] Hard luck with that.
[Max] It is what it is, mate.
[chuckles] I tried at least.
[Bono] Get in there, Lewis.
That has got to be
the craziest race I remember.
[Lewis] That's more like it. Come on.
[commentator 3] A truly dramatic race,
and the result for Mercedes
means they have one hand
on the Constructors' Championship trophy
for a record eighth time in a row.
[whirring]
He did his best, huh.
[Jos] He did everything that was possible,
but then he let him through,
then he drives in the back of him.
Well, we're gonna a go at that,
because, you know,
Max is under investigation for it,
but it's fucking Hamilton that...
- He lifted off to let him pass.
- Yeah.
[cheering]
We've won eight consecutive
World Championships.
That wasn't done in any other sport.
[indistinct announcement]
[Toto] We started the season
very much on the back foot,
but we managed to crawl back.
What the team has achieved
makes me incredibly proud.
What me and Lewis have been able
to achieve as teammates
I think could be best team
in the history of Formula 1 maybe,
so, um, it's pretty special.
The team are not there to win
a championship for one person,
but to win the championship as a whole.
Valtteri has just been a great teammate.
You know, it's been a privilege
to work with someone like that.
[commentator 1] There's only one race left
and the drivers' title is all to play for.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen
are level on points.
Only one can become world champion
and it will be decided in the final race
of the season in Abu Dhabi.
[Horner] They got what they wanted.
It goes to the final race.
Next weekend.
We'll get the fuckers next weekend.
To have won the amount of races
that we have, if we don't come away
with the Drivers' Championship,
how do you pick yourself up after that?
We've got to do everything we can
to... to get this over the line.
[Toto] Two drivers
that come into the last race
with 396 and a half points.
Lewis is driving exceptionally,
and ultimately, the stopwatch never lies.
The quicker guy
is gonna win the championship.
You know what?
Hang on, let's see what Toto's saying.
Out of nowhere...
Oh, shut up.
Fucking idiot.
The guy has no fucking idea.
[commentator 2] Welcome along
to the final round of this 2021 season.
[Horner] It's been a hell of a journey.
[commentator 3] Max versus Lewis.
[Max] The world champion
against the young gun. A proper battle.
[Lewis] I've fought hard
for this World Championship.
You can imagine
the emotions are running high.
- No!
- Come on!
[commentator 2] Is it gonna be
a first World Championship for Verstappen?
Is it gonna be an eighth
World Championship for Lewis Hamilton?
[dramatic music playing]