However, Verstappen would win the title if both retire or crash out together, as he has one more victory than Hamilton. Hamilton set the pace in Friday practice, with Verstappen in fourth place, 0.641 seconds behind. Horner said: “I can see why Toto and Lewis with the disadvantages of race wins would be pushing for that, but nobody’s going into the race saying it’s going to end in a crash. Horner’s remarks are a reference to the fact that in Brazil three races ago Verstappen was not penalised for forcing Hamilton off the track when defending his position and in Saudi Arabia he was.

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