Sri Lanka, Nov. 19 -- Fresh from arguably his greatest triumph, Lewis Hamilton will be on the crest of a wave this weekend as he seeks another momentous victory over Max Verstappen at the inaugural Qatar Grand Prix.

Just days after the most spectacular win of his career at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the 36-year-old, a keen surfer, will be powered by Mercedes' fighting spirit and a sense of shifting momentum at the Losail International Circuit.

Protests, controversies and stewards' reviews aside, Hamilton knows that if he has the same clear speed advantage, courtesy of his new Mercedes power-unit, he can further trim Verstappen's championship lead as they go forward into the unknown.

The Dutchman held a 14-point advantage after Brazil, b...