before the duel between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, the five most striking precedents where the world title was played in the last Grand Prix of the season

It’s a rough duel, where we surrender blow for blow. Overshoots fierce, repeated contacts, extraordinary egos and a thrilling season, the battle rages between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Over the course of the season, the two men flew over the Grands Prix and reinforced a rivalry which also concerns the managers of the Red Bull and Mercedes teams. It is now a question of deciding between them on the final race of the season, in Abu Dhabi, Sunday, December 12.

On paper, the drivers count the same number of points before the last race. With his victory in Jeddah this Sunday, Hamilton now has 369.5 points. Exactly like Max Verstappen who nevertheless has the advantage to lead 9 wins to 8 on his rival britannic.

In Formula 1, victory was often played on the wire, during the last Grand Prix. Memorable races where (almost) all shots were allowed to win. Even the most questionable.

Niki Lauda & James Hunt: Conclusion of a Dark Year (1976)

On the track and in life, the two men had diametrically opposed styles. Quirky and whimsical runner, James Hunt fueled an image of great seducer and party animal. Niki Lauda, ​​Austrian piloting genius, was reserved and methodical.

In 1976, the Austrian masterfully led the world championship. But on the tenth stage, he lost control of his car. Stuck in the burning cockpit, he was close to death and was badly burned.

The story could have ended there, but barely two races later, Niki Lauda was miraculously back, bandages on his face, determined to compete in the final Grand Prix to keep his title. In his absence, James Hunt had come dangerously close in the overall standings.

The race did not go exactly as planned and, in the heavy rain from Fuji, Niki Lauda had to retire, letting the title slip away in favor of the Briton. Not enough to undermine the will of Niki Lauda who won his second world title the following year.

Michael schumacher and Damon Hill: a chaotic end (1994)

Winning the title on the wire also means making questionable maneuvers in Grand Prix. In 1994 in Adelaide, for the last Grand Prix of the season, Michael Schumacher was one point ahead and a victory Damon Hill. The latter, who had become Williams driver number 1 since the death of Ayrton Senna, had gradually recovered to the German driver in the general classification.

On the Australian starting grid, Schumacher and Hill quickly took the lead. But on lap 35, german missed his braking in a turn and went Straight into the wall. Coming back to the track he hooked Hill and the two cars found themselves on the tile. With this completely chaotic final, the german pilot won his first world champion title.

Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve: The Roughest Final (1997)

It is perhaps the most dantesque duel in the history of F1. Before the start of the last race of the season, in Jerez, Spain, only one small point separated Michael Schumacher (Ferrari) by Jacques Villeneuve (Williams-Renault).

But in the 47th lap, the German felt that the championship was eluding him. Jacques Villeneuve then attempted a daring maneuver and dislocated from the inside. Michael Schumacher, under pressure, gave in response a violent thrust to the right, harpooning his rival. A dangerous maneuver which was worth to finish the race in the gravel, completely stuck.

Worse, this dangerous maneuver resulted in his disqualification, allowing Jacques Villeneuve to win the title. A more than questionable strategy, frankly unsportsmanlike, which will nevertheless remain engraved in the annals of Formula 1.

Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso: rainy scenario for a repeated duel (2012)

TO Sao Paulo in 2012, there was a thunderstorm in the air. For the ultimate race of the season, Sebastian Vettel (Red Bull) was 13 points ahead of his great rival, Fernando Alonso (Ferrari). Everything remained possible for the Spaniard, champion in 2005 and 2006 but second in 2010 behind … Sebastian Vettel.

Under a fine rain, the Ferrari driver got off to a good start, coming in second, far ahead Vettel, then sixth. But the exit of Paul Di Resta sealed the outcome of the race. The yellow flag left the drivers only two short laps, causing Fernando Alonso to fail three points from the coronation and offering a third title to Vettel. The harsh law of flags in F1.

Hamilton and Rosberg: fratricidal fight at Mercedes (2016)

If Max Verstappen gives Lewis Hamilton a hard time, the Briton will be able to count on his experience in the league. Because before Verstappen, there was Rosberg and already, the victory had been played in a pocket handkerchief.

The scenario repeated itself several years, and if Lewis Hamilton had taken the advantage during the first seasons of cohabitation between the two drivers, Nico Rosberg was able to take his revenge. In 2016, it was Nico Rosberg who in turn led the championship, with Lewis Hamilton on his heels. On the last lap of the race, Hamilton defied the orders of the technical team by slowing down to keep Rosberg in the peloton, giving Vettel and Verstappen the opportunity to pass him. A maneuver that would have allowed him to win the title. Despite Hamilton’s somewhat questionable tactics, Rosberg finished 2nd in the Grand Prix, and won the world title before leaving the world of F1.

So many scenarios that can give hope for an anthology final, whatever happens, Sunday, December 12 between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.