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Formula 1: Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to win title
Max Verstappen edged past Lewis Hamilton in the final lap

Formula 1: Max Verstappen beats Lewis Hamilton to win title

By Rajdeep Saha
Dec 12, 2021
08:11 pm
What's the story

Max Verstappen won the decisive final battle in one of the greatest Formula 1 seasons in history. Verstappen sealed the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, beating Lewis Hamilton, who finished second. Interestingly, both Hamilton and Verstappen came into the final race locked together on 369.5 points. For only the second time this happened since F1's first season in 1950.

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Verstappen wins F1 2021 title

Context

Why does it matter?

The F1 2021 season ended on a high and there was plenty of drama. The 2021 season was a two-way race between Red Bull's Verstappen and Mercedes ace Hamilton. Verstappen did lead Hamilton and after wins in USA and Mexico one would have backed him. But Hamilton won three straight races and led in Abu Dhab before Verstappen edged past in the final lap.

Verstappen

18 podium finishes for Verstappen in 2021

Verstappen was the most successful driver in 2021 in terms of earning podium finishes. He had a tally of 18 podium finishes this year. Since retiring early in the Italian GP, Verstappen finished the season with eight successive podium finishes. Prior to this race, he had three successive second-placed finishes. He won 10 races this season, besides finishing second eight times.

2021

Hamilton's performance in the 2021 season

Hamilton won eight races in the Formula 1 2021 season. The wins came at the Bahrain GP, Portuguese GP, Spanish GP, British GP, Russian GP, Brazilian GP, Qatar GP, and Saudi Arabia GP. He finished second in Italy, France, Austria, Hungary, Netherlands, USA, Mexico, and Abu Dhabi. There was one third-placed finish in Belgium. Overall, he ended with 17 podium finishes in 2021.

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Maiden F1 title for Verstappen

Verstappen won his maiden F1 title. This was his 60th podium finish. He also sealed his 20th race win since making his F1 debut in 2015.

Abu Dhabi GP

Last-lap overtake for Verstappen

After a controversy on the first lap, Hamilton had appeared in control of the race and dominated the proceedings at the Yas Marina Circuit. However, things changed when safety car was in place late on. The race was restarted with one lap to go with Verstappen, who was on fresh tyres, overtook Hamilton on old ones to seal a dramatic end.

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I don't know what to say, says Verstappen

A thrilled Verstappen said he is pleased for Red Bull. "It's insane. I don't know what to say. I'm so pleased for the team and for all these guys. I love working with them so much," Verstappen said.

Standings

A look at the 2021 Driver Standings

Verstappen ended the season with 395.5 points. Hamilton followed suit with 387.5. Valtteri Bottas, who drove his last race for Mercedes, finished third (226). Sergio Perez of Red Bull claimed 196 points to finish fourth. Ferrari's Carlos Sainz took fifth position (164.5 points). Lando Norris (160), Charles Leclerc (159), Daniel Ricciardo (115), and Fernando Alonso (81) finished in the top 10.

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2021 Constructor Standings

Mercedes finished first to win the 2021 Constructor Standings with 613.5 points. It was their eighth consecutive title. Red Bull finished second (585.5 points). Ferrari took third place with 323.5 points. McLaren (275) and Alpine (155) finished fourth and fifth respectively in the 10-team event.

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Eighth successive honor