![]() ![]() On track, though, the fundamental truth for much of the race was that once Hamilton had got by, he and Mercedes simply had too much pace for Red Bull and Verstappen, as they have for the past four races. Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap Hamilton had the race - until luck intervened The recriminations will doubtless continue for some time, especially as Verstappen came into the weekend complaining that he was being treated differently than other drivers by the stewards after the controversial Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last weekend, and Red Bull have been ratcheting the tension between the teams with a series of controversial claims in the media. The officials decided that no investigation was necessary and when Verstappen was told of the decision he said: "That is incredible. All the advantage was given back before the end of the first lap." ![]() Red Bull radioed race director Michael Masi to insist that Verstappen was "ahead and stays on track". Verstappen said over the radio: "He has to give it back." He slowed a little over the rest of the lap to give back the advantage he considered himself to have gained, and the arguments started on the pit wall. Hamilton avoided him, as he has so many times this season, and cut across the chicane, retaining the lead. Verstappen got down the inside of Hamilton but went in deep to the corner, his speed carrying him to the outside kerb long before the second right-handed part of the corner. Verstappen tracked him through the first few corners, slipstreamed him down the long, first back straight and dived for the inside into the chicane at Turns Six and Seven. There was drama from the opening lap, after Verstappen made a poor start from pole position, Hamilton an electric one from second on the grid, and the Mercedes was ahead before the first corner. The race unfolded as the season has, with Hamilton and Verstappen in a race and league of their own, and for a long time the year's destiny appeared to be heading towards Hamilton. Hamilton overtook Verstappen off the line with a great start First-lap drama as wellĪt the same time, it was a fitting way to end a season that has been characterised by on-track clashes and off-track arguments between Hamilton, Verstappen and their teams. Winning Formula? Hamilton, Verstappen & Netflix drive F1 resurgence.Hamilton, meanwhile, will have to console himself with Mercedes' victory in the constructors' championship - for an unprecedented eighth consecutive year. Yet whatever anyone's view of the various incidents in the race, few would begrudge Verstappen the title after a season in which he and Hamilton have gone toe-to-toe throughout in one of the most remarkable F1 seasons there has ever been. Verstappen passed Hamilton into Turn Five and held off his attempts to re-pass down the two straights that followed and completed the lap before erupting with joy. Red Bull complained and Masi changed his mind, allowing the lapped cars between the title contenders past Hamilton, which put Verstappen right behind Hamilton for the one remaining lap of racing. There was more controversy as race director Michael Masi initially said lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would not be allowed to un-lap themselves, as is normal practice. Mercedes felt they could not afford to pit Hamilton because to do so would have been surrendering the lead if Verstappen did not do the same - and he may well not have done because his tyres were relatively fresh after a second stop.īut when Hamilton did not stop for fresh tyres, Verstappen did and that was the decisive call. Red Bull and Verstappen were exasperated and disbelieving about it, but Hamilton was imperious from then on, through a pit stop and a virtual safety car, until Nicholas Latifi crashed his Williams with five laps to go. The race had appeared to surrender to Hamilton after he was controversially allowed to keep the lead he had earned with a better start than Verstappen, despite going off track to retain his position when the Dutchman tried to pass him at the end of the first back straight. The pair have been battling for the title across 22 races in 2021 How a historic title decider unfolded How a dramatic F1 finale unfolded on social media.Verstappen relishes 'unbelievable' title win and wants Red Bull to dominate.'A Verstappen can't lose' - the making of an F1 phenomenon.There needs to be clarity going forward - Coulthard speaks to BBC Breakfast about F1 season finale ![]()
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