SPORTS - Verstappen Takes F1 Title Despite Protest

Verstappen Takes F1 Title Despite Protest

Abu Dhabi Dec 12 2021

Despite two protests lodged by Mercedes over the controversial end to the race at the Yas Marina Circuit, Max Verstappen is announced as the winner and the 2021 drivers' champion.

The Dutchman in his Red Bull Honda overtook current F1 champion Lewis Hamilton on the last lap to win the race and the championship in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen, who was on softer and fresher tyres, passed Hamilton to claim the one of most dramatic of F1 victories and the world title.

Mercedes argued that Hamilton would have won the race and the championship, and requested an amendment of the race result under the  FIA's International Sporting Code.

 

They claimed that Verstappen had illegally passed Hamilton behind the safety car before the restart and the decision to bring out the safety car had shortened the race and therefore was not appropriate. 

Both protests were dismissed by the FIA.

FIA Race Director Michael Masi brought in the safety car with five laps left after Nicholas Latifi had steered off course and crashed his Williams into the barriers.

Verstappen and Hamilton headed into the final race on equal points in the 2021 F1 season that was filled with controversial incidents.

The British driver has matched Michael Schumacher of 91 grand prix wins but Hamilton failed to surpass the legendary German by winning his eight F1 championship.

Claiming his maiden F1 title, Verstappen is the 34th champion in the series and the first non-Mercedes driver to beat Hamilton since 2014.

Verstappen joins German driver Nico Rosberg who won his sole F1 title in 2016 by also beating Hamilton in that year's championship.