At simply 24 years outdated, Max Verstappen can add the title of World Champion to his title.
The Pink Bull driver managed to carry off title rival Lewis Hamilton throughout the season-finale Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, during which Verstappen completed first and the Mercedes star completed second after a controversial closing lap.
This very monitor traditionally has been a Mercedes energy floor, because the workforce snagged each pole and win from 2014 by ’19 till Verstappen shocked the Formula One world by taking the pole and victory final season. Now, he’s repeating historical past.
Verstappen began in pole place, however Hamilton overtook him on the primary lap. Hamilton held the lead for many of the race, however Verstappen retook the lead on the ultimate lap to win the race and the title.
All through the season, the 2 exchanged poles and wins, the strain steadily constructing because the 22-race season began dwindling. Verstappen held an eight-point lead over Hamilton heading into the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix final weekend. Nonetheless, a essential mistake brought about Verstappen to crash into the wall, leaving Hamilton to snag the pole.
The race within the Pink Sea port metropolis of Jeddah was tainted with three standing begins, a pair of restarts, a number of security automobiles and a chaotic back-and-forth between the duo. At one level, Pink Bull negotiated a penalty for Verstappen mid-race. All of it got here to a head when the 24-year-old was instructed to let Hamilton cross with 12 laps to go, however the two collided. Hamilton finally grabbed the win, night the taking part in subject heading into Abu Dhabi.
Main into the ultimate weekend, some drivers voiced in interviews with Formula One their opinions of who ought to win, however Williams’s George Russell added a essential level—“hopefully it’s a clear and honest race and the perfect man wins.”
All through apply and qualifying, it appeared that the title contenders stored it clear. Verstappen snagged the pole place on the Yas Marina Circuit with some assist from his teammate’s tow, though the 24-year-old tried to downplay any potential benefit that would have brought about.
Although Hamilton erased that pole benefit early, Verstappen got here again to take the victory in dramatic vogue. It capped off a sensational 2021 season for the Pink Bull driver that featured 10 wins and his first Formula One World Championship.
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