F1 finale: Hamilton vs Verstappen – Over the last few years, fans have alleged that Formula 1 has become boring. The 2021 season was anything but boring. While at one stage, Max Verstappen looked like the runway World Champion, 7-time champions Lewis Hamilton has reignited the title race and now looks favourite to retain the title. In Abu Dhabi on Sunday, the race will decide the 2021 champions after a controversy-filled Saudi Arabian GP. Follow Formula 1 Abu Dhabi GP Live Updates on InsideSport.IN.
With his 8th race win of the season in Saudi Arabian GP, driving with a broken front-wing, Lewis Hamilton announced to the world why he is considered one of all-time best. Both Max and Lewis have 369.5 points while a higher position finish in the final race of the season will decide the winner. While fans wait for the race to flag off with bated breath, it won’t be the first time that an F1 season has gone into the decider.
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
Hamilton vs Verstappen – But there remains a possibility of a bitter ending to the season. If Max Verstappen rams into Lewis Hamilton and pushes him off the track and both get DNFs, the Flying Dutchman will be the world champions, courtesy of superior race wins — Max’s 9 to Hamilton’s 8.
However, it won’t be the first time that F1 Drivers’ World Champion will be decided on the final race. Guess what, one of them has already been made into a movie. InsideSport takes a look at the famous title deciders of F1.
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
Lewis Hamilton vs Felipe Massa – 2008, Sao Paulo, Brazil
BRAZIL: Hamilton 94, Massa 87 ahead of final race
After a compelling season, Lewis Hamilton needed to finish fifth or higher to break the local favourite Filipe Massa’s heart. At the age of 23, Hamilton had all but lost the title yet again after losing it in his rookie career by just a point. Massa won the race and was champion-elect as Hamilton was still sixth.
But Briton delivered his best under rain. As Toyota’s Timo Glock slowed down due to wrong tyre choice, Hamilton passed him in the final few corners to take the title.
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
Niki Lauda vs James Hunt – 1976, Suzuka, Japan
Lauda 68pts, Hunt 65pts
The 1976 season was so compelling and dramatic that it became a Hollywood movie later, named Rush. Ferrari’s Niki Lauda made a fairytale comeback after suffering a third-degree burn earlier that season while his fierce rival and once roommate James Hunt went on to make up for the points during his absence.
At Suzuka in Japan as rain pelted down, all wanted the race to be postponed but race organisers and Bernie Ecclestone refused, so did Hunt. Hunt had to finish third or better but Lauda retired after just one lap, saying it was insanity to race in that rain. Hunt battered rain spraying down on his helmet to finish third and win his first and only title.
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
Michael Schumacher vs Damon Hill, 1994, Australia:
One of the most controversial title races, Schumacher’s 1994 world championship came at the cost of Damon Hill. The German was leading by a point going into Adelaide. But Schumacher had a horrible day. He ran wide and off the track and as all hopes seemed lost, he came back and rammed into Hill’s Williams. Schumacher was out on the spot and while Hill carried on for a while an irretrievably damaged front wishbone forced him to retire, handing the German his 1st world title.
Michael Schumacher led Jacques Villeneuve by a single point going into 1997’s final race…
We saw one of #F1‘s great season finales!#HistoryAwaits 🍿 pic.twitter.com/2RpGDopTng
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 7, 2021
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
Michael Schumacher vs Jacques Villeneuve – 1997, Spain
Three years later, Michael Schumacher found himself on the same spot once again. This time, his competitor was Jacques Villeneuve who was trailing the German by just a point going into European GP, the final race.
A faster Williams, driven by Villeneuve, was ahead and as Schumacher challenged for the lead, he hit the Williams and went into the sand trap. He was unable to continue while Villeneuve went on to finish third and lift the title. It was a clear act of malice, said FIA. He was stripped of his second place in drivers’ standings.
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
John Surtees vs Jim Clark vs Graham Hill – 1964, Mexico GP
MEXICO: Hill 39pts, Surtees 34pts, Clark 30pts
One of the most controversial title races, Mexico GP in 1964 had fans on their edge. going into the final race, Graham Hill was leading with 39 points, followed by Surtees on 34 and Clark on 30. The three-way fight ended with Surtees claiming the title.
Hill lost the race after Surtees’ Ferrari teammate Lorenzo Bandini rammed into him during the race. It was a move that has most doubtful. Clark was set to take the title but a last-lap oil leak meant, he was out and Bandini let Surtees pass as he won the race and title.
A similar move could unfold in Abu Dhabi and Red Bull & Max Verstappen will do everything in their power to dethrone Lewis Hamilton.
F1 Finale: Lewis Hamilton vs Max Verstappen – As Abu Dhabi braces for title showdown, check out 5 last-race deciders
