Dethroning in Abu Dhabi: Max Verstappen Is Formula 1’s New Champion

Alex Healey
· 4 min read
On December 12, 2021 we witnessed the finale of the most exciting Formula 1 season in recent memory, as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen went head to head for the 2021 World Championship.
The season looked all but over a few weeks ago, as Vertsappen had established a sizeable lead at the top of the standings, but Hamilton turned on the burners to win three straight in Brazil, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, creating a winner-takes-all scenario heading to the final race in UAE.
The final race did not disappoint. In what will surely go down as one of the most iconic Formula 1 title deciders of all time, Max Verstappen took full advantage of controversial officiating to snatch victory from his title rival.
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Max Verstappen is Formula 1’s newest champion, but not without a little controversy.

How did the Formula 1 finale play out?

For most of the 90-minute race, Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton appeared to be cruising to victory, as the experienced Brit expertly navigated the Abu Dhabi track.
Verstappen had started in pole position, but once his Red Bull car had ceded top spot to Mercedes, there appeared to be little chance of him retaking the lead.
That all changed on lap 52 of 58, as a crash by Nicholas Latifi at the back of the pack triggered a safety car, whose job is to slow the racers until the track can be cleared.
The rules state the racers must remain in the same order from first to last until the safety car has exited the track, but it enabled Verstappen to move right behind Hamilton.
Then, controversially, and seemingly following pressure from the Red Bull team, FIA director Michael Masi allowed the race to restart with one lap left.
By this point, Hamilton was struggling on worn tires, and he was powerless to stop Verstappen and the Red Bull car—which had new tires from a recent pitstop—from overtaking him and crossing the finish line first.
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How did the drivers react?

As Verstappen crossed the finish line he screamed “Oh my God, oh my God…It's insane!" and furiously fist pumped the air.
The confident Dutchman didn’t show much humility in post-race interviews either, saying “Finally, a bit of luck for me.”
This caused a laugh from several of the gathered journalists, as for some, Verstappen has had plenty of luck this Formula 1 season.
Despite claiming the opposite, some think he has been treated very leniently for a number of dangerous maneuvers, often trying to mitigate his rival’s speed advantage by forcing the Mercedes off-track, even causing a violent crash in the Italian Grand Prix earlier this year.
Hamilton deserves some credit for swallowing his pride and showing grace following the loss.
While his team protested the result, Hamilton embraced Verstappen after the drivers exited their cars, and began his post-race interview by saying “Big congratulations to Max and to his team.”

Max Verstappen is a worthy winner

The Abu Dhabi race brought an exciting and acrimonious season to a fitting conclusion.
There is no doubt that Max Vertsappen is an excellent race driver and fitting champion, although the circumstances of his final victory have left a bad taste in the mouth of some fans.
Still, his fans won’t mind. Verstappen has become the first Dutch champion in history and the first Red Bull driver to win a title since 2013.
His victory has stopped a run of four straight championships for Hamilton, and it remains to be seen if the Brit will return next year to strive for a record eighth Formula 1 title.

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