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2021 F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi — Results & aftermath

MIRACLE MAX: Verstappen seizes first Championship after late Safety Car ruins Hamilton’s bid for an unprecedented eighth title; Shell-shocked Mercedes still win record eighth Constructors’ Title in controversial season finale

In one of the most controversial Grand Prix in Formula 1 history, let alone for a Championship-deciding season finale, Red Bull’s superb Max Verstappen prevailed over Mercedes ace and seven-time World Champ Lewis Hamilton in Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to take his first-ever F1 crown. Under the bright lights of Yas Marina Circuit and the glare of lifelong expectations, the Dutch wunderkind, running P2 and around 13-seconds behind Hamilton,  took advantage of a late Safety Car caused by Williams’ Nicolas Latifi crashing out on Lap 53 to nip into the pits for a fresh set of Soft Pirelli tires. Meanwhile, Mercedes did not feel able to pit Hamilton even though he was on relatively ancient Hard tires already some 30-laps-old with five to go in this 58-lap contest because they didn’t want to cede the ever-valuable track position. That left Hamilton highly vulnerable should the wrecked Williams be able to be cleared before the laps of the race ran out. To the marshals’ and the race director’s credit, they decided to everything possible to clear the stranded Williams and associated debris and restart the race, thereby letting the two title contenders finish fighting it out under green.

To get to that point, however, Race Director Michael Masi had to insert himself into the outcome by first not allowing the five lapped cars between Hamilton and P2 Verstappen to pass the Safety Car and get back to the tail end of the field. This enabled the marshals to safely clear Latifi’s car. With a little over a lap now remaining, Masi then changed his edict and had the lapped cars overtake to clear the top two, allowing Verstappen to pull right alongside Hamilton for the restart towards the end of Lap 57, As the Safety Car ducked back into the pits, Hamilton tried to get the drop on Verstappen by controlling and scooting away at the restart. But the Dutchman didn’t let him gain much of advantage and his faster, fresher rubber soon proved too much for the Mercedes man to overcome. By Turn 5 of the final lap, Hamilton was easy meat and, despite fighting like the champion he is and always will be, Hamilton could no longer hold off the inevitable. Verstappen slipped by to take a lead that seemed impossible just five laps prior in front a enthralled fans of all rooting interests. Hamilton tried one more desperation lunge but Verstappen quickly distanced him, pulling away and coming to the checkers some 2.256-seconds ahead of his season-long nemesis. They say to be the best you’ve got to beat the best and that’s exactly what young Max did today to become the fourth youngest F1 Champion at the age of 24-years and 73 days (active drivers Hamilton is the second-youngest champ, Sebastian Vettel first). Continue reading →