Not Lewis Hamilton’s eighth world title, but Max Verstappen’s first. A thrilling duel after a frantic Formula 1 season in Abu Dhabi has ended with the victory of the 24-year-old Dutch Red Bull rider. By maneuvering overtaking on the last lap.
Verstappen misses his start
Abu Dhabi was the 22nd and final match of the World Cup this season. The decisive decision, because Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) and Max Verstappen took to the road, fighting for the world title.
At the Yas Marina circuit, Verstappen saw how his gamble on the softer and faster tires turned out to be wrong. The Dutchman missed his pole position and saw Hamilton pass him before the first corner kick.
Lewis Hamilton immediately passes Max Verstappen.
New tires produce very little
Lewis Hamilton built a lead of a handful of seconds, which after a while increased to 20 seconds.
With the yellow flag Verstappen was given a set of new hard tyres, while Hamilton stayed on the right track.
The Dutchman nibbled off his backlog, but Red Bull didn’t have the speed to get close to Hamilton.
The safety car in the final laps is the rescue of Verstappen
Until Canadian Latifi crashed with his Williams. The safety car appeared on the track and Verstappen went fast to get fresh rubber.
To the chagrin of Mercedes, allowing the Red Bull driver to start right behind Hamilton on the final lap. In that, Hamilton had no chance on his worn tyres.
Verstappen caught up and dribbled past Hamilton for the world title.
Max Verstappen’s first top gear
Max Verstappen was born 24 years ago in Hasselt. He is the son of a Belgian mother (Sophie Compen) and a Dutch father (José Verstappen).
Verstappen is the first Dutch motorsport world champion.
Hamilton still shares German Michael Schumacher’s record of 7 world titles. The Briton celebrated his first world title in 2008. After that he dried up for five years, since 2014 winning six of the eight championships.
The 2021 Formula 1 season saw an incredibly exciting conclusion. Verstappen and Hamilton scored the same number of points (369.5) after 21 races. It’s been 47 years since the F1 Championship was decided in the final race with two drivers tied on points.
Verstappen has 10 wins this season and Hamilton 8.
Joy with Verstappen and his team:
| Abu Dhabi GP . results | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Max Verstappen (Ned) | Red Bull | 1u30’17” 345 |
| 2. | Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain) | mercedes | at 2″ 256 |
| 3. | Carlos Sainz (spa) | Ferrari | 5″ 173 |
| 4. | Yuki Tsunoda (Japan) | AlphaTauri | 5″ 692 |
| 5. | Pierre Gasly (fra) | AlphaTauri | 6″ 531 |
| 6. | Valtteri Bottas (Vin) | mercedes | 7″ 463 |
| 7. | Lando Norris (GPR) | McLaren | 59″ 200 |
| 8. | Fernando Alonso (spa) | Alps | 1’01” 708 |
| 9. | Charles Leclerc (Mon) | Ferrari | 1 round |
| 10. | Sebastian Vettel (BW) | Aston Martin | |
| 11. | Daniel Ricardo (Brazil) | McLaren | |
| 12. | Lance Stroller (Can) | Aston Martin | |
| 13. | Mick Schumacher (bang) | Hass | |
| 14. | Sergio Perez | Red Bull | DNF |
| 15. | Nicholas Latifi (Cannes) | Williams | DNF |
| 16. | Esteban Ocon (FRA) | Alps | DNF |
| 17. | Antonio Giovinazzi (ETA) | Alfa Romeo | DNF |
| 18. | George Russell | Williams | DNF |
| 19. | Kimi Raikkonen (Ven) | Alfa Romeo | DNF |
| 20. | Nikita Mazepin (Russian) | Hass | DNS |
Verstappen (r) beats Hamilton (l) on the last lap.
Max Verstappen crosses the finish line as the winner.
Father Joss and son Max Verstappen immediately after the race.
“Creator. Award-winning problem solver. Music evangelist. Incurable introvert.”
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