The era of Lewis Hamilton has come to an end. The British driver’s dominance, seven-time Formula 1 world champion, came to an end on the very last lap of the final Grand Prix of a thrilling 2021 season. In Abu Dhabi, Sunday, December 12, that of the Dutchman Max Verstappen opened in an incredible atmosphere – a real “oranje” tide in the stands -, exacerbated by a Hitchcockian scenario.
“This last lap was incredible. This is insane. Finally, we did. I do not know what to say, let go of Max Verstappen at the end of this unexpected race. This year has been amazing. In the end, I was a little lucky. ”
A few moments earlier, however, victory stretched out its arms to the defending champion: Lewis Hamilton had more than ten seconds in advance with less than ten laps from the finish on his rival. Red Bull team manager Chris Horner was annoyed and could see only” a miracle “ able to change the course of things in favor of his protege.
The miracle happened with the accident of Canadian driver Nicholas Latifi on the 53rd lap (out of 58) Under the safety car regime, Max Verstappen was able to change his tires. Then, the marshals allowed the latecomers to overtake the “safety car” and Max Verstappen to start the last lap behind his great rival.
The outcome of an entire season was played on a final lap, wheel to wheel, the previous gaps having been erased, in an atmosphere of insane tension. Lewis Hamilton, in his Mercedes crippled by worn tires, saw his young opponent and his Red Bell equipped with softer, faster tires slip past him.
At the same time, the eighth world champion title – which would have been a record – escaped the Briton. With seven titles, he must still share the first place in the pantheon of Formula 1 with the German Michael Schumacher.
“He is still fighting”
The new world champion may not be the smileiest or the most outgoing driver, but the stormy 24-year-old Dutchman is establishing himself as the new face of Formula 1. And “People are happy to see this new face”, if we are to believe the former “big boss” of the queen of automotive disciplines, Bernie Ecclestone – who had predicted “A victory for Max” in the World a month ago.
Even though he’s been driving in F1 since the age of 17, “Max brings a little freshness”, confirms the French pilot – of the same generation – Pierre Gasly. He is one of the young pilots. And it’s good to see the start of a generational change. “” Max is very talented. He always fights, sometimes with a car that does not perform as well as the Mercedes ”, also underlines the former double world champion Fernando Alonso. I like the way he is aggressive behind the wheel and his winning mentality. “
However, after having had 33 points in advance in the heart of the summer before the Grand Prix of Great Britain, or even 19 points on the return from Mexico at the beginning of November, the Dutchman well believed that he was going to miss with a breath his crime of lese majesty. Before the final meeting on Sunday, Lewis Hamilton had just won three consecutive Grands Prix to return to equal points.
Even though he knew that in the event of the two title contenders giving up, the advantage would be retained thanks to a greater number of successes this year (9 against 8), the pressure was on his shoulders. Especially since no one would have tolerated a blow from Jarnac to decide the winner.
Before going all out in the last race, the young man had missed a unique opportunity the previous weekend during qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. On course to set the fastest time on his last attempt, Saturday 4 December, he made a driving error which deprived him of a crucial pole position on a circuit with delicate overtaking. “I blame myself, I’m angry. Making such a mistake at this time in the championship is hard to accept ”, he judged himself harshly.
The next day, Max Verstappen multiplied the irregularities, collected three penalties and lost to his best enemy. But far from allowing himself to be defeated, he did not abdicate: “It’s exciting, it’s a bit like the season started all over again at the last race. ”
“Sometimes miracles happen”
Faced with the insolent control of the German giant Mercedes, winner of eight constructors’ world championships in a row (including this 2021 season) and the last seven driver’s titles, the unwavering support of its Austrian team, Red Bull, has also proven to be decisive. As when his team-mate Sergio Perez offered him pole position on Saturday 11 December by letting him benefit from the aspiration of his car to achieve the fastest lap in qualifying. Or when the Mexican slowed down Lewis Hamilton as much as possible in the race on Sunday.
At the foot of the wall, in search of a first world title since 2014, the boss of Red Bull, Christian Horner, played down before Abu Dhabi: “If we had been told at the start of the season that we would end up with the same number of points as Hamilton, and even ahead for the benefit of victories, we would have signed immediately. We have a chance and we must seize it. “
On the shores of the Persian Gulf, vsHis luck arose in the last round and the talent of Max Verstappen did the rest: “Of course I was nervous for today. I knew you had to keep believing it even if it didn’t look right. Sometimes miracles happen… ”
In 2015, this son of former F1 driver Jos Verstappen, started driving in F1 at the age of 17 years, 5 months and 15 days when he did not even have a driving license. The following year, he captured another precocity record in Spain: that of the youngest winner of a Grand Prix at 18 years, 7 months and 15 days. Becoming world champion at 24 years, 2 months and 12 days, he is only the fourth youngest driver to reign in F1, behind Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
To mark his sport, Max Verstappen must now continue. From next season, he will find his best enemy on his way. He is aware of this: “Lewis is an incredible driver, he made life very difficult for us. It’s sport. Everyone wants to win and, in the end, only one can. Next year we will both come back and we will do it again. “
Deprived of a title that he had not lost since 2016, “King Lewis”, which has “Congratulated Max and his team” after the race, will try to earn his nickname again. At 36, Lewis Hamilton has certainly not yet said his last word. Formula 1 can relish the publicity it gets from its incredible thriller series. The leaders’ fight has only just begun.