Max Verstappen is the first Dutch Formula 1 world champion ever. During the decisive Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi, the Dutchman drove almost the entire race behind Lewis Hamilton, but after a crazy last lap, Verstappen was able to pull the longest end.
Verstappen took pole position during qualifying yesterday and was therefore first to start, while Hamilton started second. However, the latter started very strong, as a result of which Verstappen already lost his pole position at the first corner.
Does anyone agree with stewards decision? 👀 pic.twitter.com/rKxf8KaHhU
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) December 12, 2021
AND THEY NEARLY TOUCH! MAX AND LEWIS GO WHEEL TO WHEEL 🤯
Verstappen 🗣 "He has to give that back!"#F1 #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) December 12, 2021
Verstappen 📻 "That is incredible. What are they doing here?"
Max not a fan of that decision.#F1 #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪
— Motorsport.com (@Motorsport) December 12, 2021
Verstappen then immediately tried to recover this, after which both racers collided in the first corner. However, Hamilton was the first to return to the circuit, which the Dutchman did not agree with. He thought that the Briton should return to the first position. However, race officials said there would be no investigation into Hamilton’s action.
From that moment on Hamilton drove very strong and gradually increased the lead. Red Bull then opted for an early pit stop after which Hamilton also changed his tires. As a result, Sergio Pérez, Verstappen’s teammate at Red Bull, drove upfront with the task of holding up Hamilton. He did an excellent job and the Brit lost a lot of time in this battle, allowing Verstappen to come closer again.
LAP 21/58
Epic stuff at the front as race leader Sergio Perez battles hard to keep Lewis Hamilton frustrated
Hamilton eventually gets past to take P1, but his lead over Verstappen is cut to two seconds
"Checo is a legend" says Max over team radio #AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/Thc5IPQV09
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
In the final phase of the race, Red Bull went on the attack by making a tire change during a virtual safety car and driving towards Hamilton with fresh tires. With the new tires the gap kept getting smaller, but Verstappen needed a miracle to make it even more exciting.
That miracle happened: a crash elsewhere on the track forces a safety car on the track in the very last laps. Verstappen reacts immediately by making a pit stop and going for faster tires. The moment the safety car leaves the track, Verstappen is right behind Hamilton for the very last lap. In this final lap, the Dutchman manages to overtake the Briton, making Verstappen the first Dutchman to take the world title in Formula 1.
WHAT A COMEBACK!
Max Verstappen holds off Lewis Hamilton to become the first Dutch F1 world champion 🏆 pic.twitter.com/h1IDv8Dr6y
— ESPN (@espn) December 12, 2021
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