Saturday, December 4th 2021
Verstappen leads before F1 final
How Hamilton worked his way back into the world championship fight
One of the most exciting Formula 1 seasons in history is about to hit the home straight. Eight points separate Red Bull driver Max Verstappen and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) before the penultimate race in Jeddah / Saudi Arabia (Sunday, 6.30 p.m. / RTL and in the live ticker at ntv.de). The previous 20 Grands Prix in rapid succession.
Bahrain Grand Prix (1st race of the season): After the impressions of the test drives, Red Bull is the clear favorite at the season opener in the same place. Verstappen takes pole position, but Hamilton can hold back in the race and save a narrow lead at the finish. World Cup status: Verstappen – Hamilton 18:25 points
Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix (2nd race): Verstappen drives to a sovereign victory in Imola in the rain. Hamilton goes off the track and is lucky that his car is not badly damaged. With the help of fortunate circumstances and a safety car, the world champion took second place at the right time and kept the championship lead thanks to the bonus point for the fastest lap of the race. Verstappen – Hamilton 43:44
Portuguese Grand Prix and Spanish Grand Prix (3rd and 4th races): Mercedes is on a high. Isn’t it going to be a season like any other since 2014? Hamilton wins in Portimao confidently ahead of Verstappen, in Barcelona the Brit overtakes his opponent shortly before the end of the race thanks to a courageous strategy with fresher tires. Verstappen – Hamilton 80:94
Monaco Grand Prix (5th race): Verstappen is unstoppable in the narrow streets of his adopted home – and is taking the lead in the World Cup for the first time because Hamilton only comes in seventh on a failed weekend. Verstappen – Hamilton 105: 101
Azerbaijan Grand Prix (6th race): Verstappen is heading for another victory when his left rear tire bursts on the high-speed circuit in Baku. Hamilton risks everything at the next restart, wants to win instead of conservatively collecting points, brakes spectacularly in turn one and only reaches the goal in 15th place. No change in the World Cup stand. Verstappen – Hamilton 105: 101
Grand Prix of France, Styria and Austria (7th to 9th races): Verstappen’s strongest phase with three wins in a row. Especially after the double in Spielberg, Mercedes is at a loss. Verstappen – Hamilton 182: 150
Great Britain Grand Prix (10th race): The first big bang. Verstappen easily wins the first sprint in Formula 1 history on Saturday and starts from pole position in Hamilton’s home race. The world champion pulls out the crowbar in the first lap, Verstappen retires, Hamilton’s car remains largely unscathed and carries him to victory. The fact that the Briton is celebrating while Verstappen is still in the hospital for an examination causes a lot of resentment at Red Bull. Verstappen – Hamilton 185: 177
Hungarian Grand Prix (11th race): The tide seems to be turning. Verstappen is only ninth after being involved in a start-up accident, Hamilton takes second place – Sebastian Vettel, who actually came in second, is disqualified due to insufficient fuel remaining in the tank – in Esteban Ocon’s sensational victory, taking back the championship lead. Verstappen – Hamilton 187: 195
Belgian Grand Prix (12th race): After the summer break, Formula 1 experiences the rain farce of Spa. The starting line-up corresponds to the final result, due to the most adverse conditions only one lap behind the safety car is driven so that there are at least half points – and full entry fee for Formula 1. Verstappen wins, Hamilton comes third. Verstappen – Hamilton 199.5: 202.5
Dutch Grand Prix (13th race): The Formula 1 return to Zandvoort after 36 years turns into a Verstappen party. The local hero wins safely. Hamilton is second to operate damage control, but loses the championship lead. Verstappen – Hamilton 224.5: 221.5
Italian Grand Prix (14th race): The second violent crash of the title rivals. After a failed pit stop, Verstappen falls behind Hamilton in Monza and wants to pass again quickly with all his might. Both end up in the gravel and are eliminated, the Halo cockpit protection saves Hamilton from serious injuries, maybe even his life. Verstappen gets two points in the sprint and slightly extends his lead. Verstappen – Hamilton 226.5: 221.5
Russian Grand Prix (15th race): The motor change time begins. Red Bull opts for Sochi because the circuit is traditionally Mercedes country. From last place on the grid, Verstappen took second place – behind Hamilton, who celebrated his 100th Grand Prix victory. Verstappen – Hamilton 244.5: 246.5
Turkish Grand Prix (16th race): Hamilton pulls his engine penalty in Istanbul, but he only comes up to fifth in his race to catch up. Verstappen finished second behind Valtteri Bottas in the second Mercedes. Verstappen – Hamilton 262.5: 256.5
US and Mexico Grand Prix (17th and 18th races): Red Bull impresses on Hamilton’s favorite track in Austin and especially in the mountain air of Mexico City. Verstappen celebrates two clear victories, a World Cup preliminary decision seems to be looming. Verstappen-Hamilton 312.5: 293.5
Brazilian Grand Prix (19th race): Everything seems to be going well against Hamilton. Mercedes accepts another relocation for a fresh engine, then the FIA, the World Automobile Federation, criticizes Hamilton’s rear wing and disqualifies the Briton from qualifying. Hamilton starts the sprint from last place, which Verstappen finishes in second. He is now 21 points ahead. In the race, however, Hamilton storms to victory over his opponent with enormous engine power. Suddenly, at Red Bull helplessness reigns again. Verstappen – Hamilton 332.5: 318.5
Qatar Grand Prix (20th race): Hamilton spares his “miracle engine” and still wins confidently at the Formula 1 premiere in the controversial host country of the 2022 World Cup. Verstappen finished second by a clear margin – and is only eight points ahead. Verstappen-Hamilton 351.5: 343.5