Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix just delivered one of the most dramatic finales in Formula 1 history as Red Bull’s Max Verstappen overtook defending champion Lewis Hamilton in the final lap of the race to win his first-ever world championship.
The whole race was a fitting end to a fantastic duel between the two drivers, who have been involved in several high-profile incidents over the course of the season.
There was controversy until the very last lap, with the FIA’s decision to let lapped cars overtake the Safety Car before the restart proving crucial to Verstappen’s victory. It all added to the excitement and drama of a thrilling race – and a memorable F1 season overall.
Read on below as SBOTOP recaps the race while delivering the key takeaways from what has been a fabulous season.
More Verstappen-Hamilton controversies from start to finish
After his crash late in qualifying cost him pole position in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Max Verstappen improved his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021 odds of victory by grabbing the crucial pole over Hamilton.
However, Verstappen quickly threw away his advantage as Hamilton overtook him on the very first turn. Although there was some suspicion that Hamilton cut the corner to overtake Verstappen, the stewards opted not to penalise the Mercedes driver.
In classic Hamilton fashion, he then goes and protects that lead for the next 50-plus laps despite Verstappen’s best efforts.
But just when it seemed like Hamilton was headed for his record-breaking eighth world championship, the safety car comes out with five laps remaining in the race after Nicholas Latifi’s crash.
The race is then turned completely on its head when the FIA heeded Red Bull boss Christian Horner’s call to let the backmarkers lap the safety car, which meant that Hamilton and Verstappen were now side by side on the final lap with the world championship on the line when the race restarted.
After his heroics for 50-plus laps, Hamilton’s car just didn’t have enough to fend off Verstappen, who overtook the Mercedes on the last lap to claim his first career world championship.
Mercedes were left fuming by the FIA’s call to let the backmarkers lap the safety car, which they allege were in breach of the rules. They lodged a couple of protests shortly after the race, but the Abu Dhabi 2021 news came out that both were dismissed. Mercedes are still pondering whether to file an appeal.
After witnessing the incidents in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix as well as several others over the course of the year, it is only fitting that this dramatic F1 season concludes with more controversy involving Verstappen and Hamilton.
The two drivers’ duels during the season have been the most entertaining in recent memory, and their many dust-ups have only added to the drama of their rivalry, which was one of the main factors that made this F1 season one of the best in years.
Verstappen’s victory the first of many
Max Verstappen has become a world champion at just 24 years of age, the fourth-youngest in history. And this title may very well be just the first of many to come.
Even at a young age, Verstappen – who is still the youngest driver to start an F1 race and the youngest to win an F1 race – displayed all the ability of a future world champion, and he has finally realised all that potential this season.
Verstappen has had his critics due to some of his antics on the track which verge on crossing the line. But the Dutchman also displayed some of the ruthless mentality needed to make it at the very top of the sport, and he can now reap the rewards.
Hamilton will be back to make history
Lewis Hamilton’s bid to win his record-breaking eighth world championship fell agonisingly short. But while it was likely heartbreaking for him to lose the title on the final lap, it might just be delaying the inevitable.
Even at age 36, Hamilton still looked at the top of his game for most of the season, and Mercedes still looked like the car to beat. His fire will continue to burn for that elusive eighth title. And after the dominance of winning four consecutive championships, he now has the added motivation of coming back stronger next year and getting it back from Verstappen amid their budding rivalry.
Despite the disappointment of losing the title, this season was still a testament to Hamilton’s greatness, and it is just a matter of time before he’s back on top again.
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