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Lewis Hamilton won a dramatic and eventful Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend, leveling up his points to draw even with title rival Max Verstappen. Many believe that luck played a massive role throughout the race and had a significant impact on the final results. Multiple restarts, penalties, and accidents constantly changed the course of the race, with the first red flag providing Verstappen the advantage to gain a "free" pit stop.
Speaking on the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Review episode of F1: Chequered Flag podcast, here's what Jolyon Palmer had to say about the role of luck this season:
"The red flag in itself was lucky for Verstappen, to be from third place stuck behind Valtteri Bottas, and suddenly in the lead. But in fairness, he has been on the receiving end of a bit of that. Certainly Hamilton has been on the receiving end of some good fortune, thinking back to Imola and possibly Silverstone when the red flag came at the perfect time."
The first red flag period in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, caused by Mick Schumacher's crash, came right after both Mercedes had pitted. It was just in time for Verstappen to take fresh tires without losing any time and retain the lead which he had gained when the two Mercedes ahead of him made their pitstops.
Lewis Hamilton's good fortune in 2021
This year's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was one of many instances where Lewis Hamilton benefitted from a favourably-timed red flag this season. With Verstappen in the lead for the majority of the race, Lewis Hamilton found himself in trouble after sliding off-track on Lap 31, causing him to drop from P2 to P9.
However, in a dramatic turn of events on the very same lap, a nasty crash between George Russell and Valtteri Bottas allowed Hamilton to un-lap himself.
Whilst luck did play a role in Lewis Hamilton's fight for P2, nobody can deny the Briton's talent and recovery drive, particularly during the second half of the race.
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