Here’re The Winners And Losers From A Dramatic F1 Season Finale At Abu Dhabi

After a long and gruelling nine months’ worth of a title fight, it all came down to a tie-breaker at the season finale at Yas Marina, Abu Dhabi. And boy did it deliver! Both title rivals settled things with an incredible final lap shootout that had its own quantum of drama and controversy. And when all the dust settled, we had a new world champion in the form of Max Verstappen! 

In this report, we take you through the winners and losers in what was an unbelievable season finale of the 2021 Formula One season to remember for the ages:

Winners

Max Verstappen 

Tied on points with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton going into the final race, it was all or nothing for Red Bull Racing Honda’s Max Verstappen in this final stretch. While half the job was done with an incredible pole position lap, he was crucially jumped by Hamilton off the line and had to settle for second place despite an opportunistic overtake attempt.

For most of the race, despite teammate Serio Perez helping out and being on fresher tyres, it didn’t look like Verstappen had any answer for Hamilton with the title slipping away. But everything came to a head with the safety car being called out with five laps to go. Crucially, Verstappen pitted for fresher soft compound tyres and with the five lapped cars between him and Hamilton being let go, which set up a titanic final lap showdown between him and Hamilton. 

The Dutchman wasted absolutely no time to make the pass for the race win into Turn 5, crossing the chequered flag to take a sensational maiden driver’s title. He’s not only Netherlands’ first F1 world champion, but is also Red Bull Racing’s first driver’s champion since Sebastian Vettel’s fourth driver’s crown since 2013. And what better way for Honda to bow out of Formula One with its first driver’s world champion since the legendary Aryton Senna in 1991. 

Carlos Sainz

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Carlos Sainz seems to have a knack of putting in some incredible under the radar performances during crazy races. Starting fifth on the grid, the Ferrari driver was comfortably best of the rest behind the Red Bull and Mercedes, and took full advantage of the late race safety car period to hold onto the final spot of the podium. Crucially, this result leapfrogged Sainz to fifth place in the drivers standings beating not only former teammate Lando Norris, but also his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in his maiden season in Ferrari.

Yuki Tsunoda

After what has been quite an eventful rookie season, AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda had his best performance of the season, not only outperforming teammate Pierre Gasly, but finishing just one place off the podium. A positive end to the season for Tsunoda and crucial momentum heading into 2022.

Honorable Mention- Sergio Perez

Sure, Verstappen’s teammate had to retire towards the end of the race due to a technical issue, but there’s no underestimating the crucial role Sergio Perez played in the title fight. With Hamilton running away with the race lead, Perez -- despite being on older tyres -- managed to ward away the competiton enough to help Verstappen close up the gap, which in the end did affect the title race tilting in Max’s favour. 

Losers

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes

It would be very difficult to put seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on this list with the race he had. The Mercedes driver not only jumped title rival Max Verstappen off the line, but was on for a comfortable race win and a record eighth driver’s title. But everything flipped on its head with the final safety car period, and that one final lap was enough for Verstappen to snatch the title away. 

But the real loser has got to be Mercedes, who played very conservative strategies throughout the race. Crucially, not pitting Hamilton during the final safety car for fresher tyres for the sake of track position cost them the title. It didn’t help that teammate Valtteri Bottas was stuck in the midfield, and was pretty much taken out of the title race. Sure, Mercedes sealed their eighth successive constructors title, but it will be a bittersweet end to the season.

Alfa Romeo

With a fresh driver lineup for 2022, Alfa Romeo had a forgettable final grand prix for its current driver lineup. Formula-E bound Antonio Giovinazzi retired due to technical gremlins, with 2007 world champion Kimi Raikonnen unable to finish his final F1 race due to a brake-by-wire issue. 

Williams 

Another team that had a forgettable race with DNFs due to different circumstances. For Mercedes-bound George Russell, it was a gearbox issue that prematurely ended his time at Williams. Teammate Nicolas Laitifi crashed out of the race with just five laps to go, which crucially caused a safety car and influenced the result of the 2021 driver’s world championship.

After this intense 2021 season, Formula One goes on a much needed winter break until the new regulations kick in for the 2022 season. Racing action kicks off again on March 20 at Bahrain for the season opener.