Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton will share the front row today at the start of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the ultimate event of an exciting season that will crown the Formula 1 world champion.
As a scenario, one could not ask for better. The two tenors of the main discipline of motorsport occupy the head of the cumulative classification at the end of the first 21 stages of the calendar with an identical harvest of 369.5 points.
Author of a tenth leading position in 2021 aboard his Red Bull, Verstappen covered the route in 1 min, 22.109 s, to beat his great rival by 371 thousandths of a second yesterday in qualifying.
The Dutchman was able to take advantage of the contribution of his teammate Sergio Pérez who offered him “the aspiration” in the second long straight of the circuit during his cannon lap.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” said Verstappen, “and all the more encouraging to see that we were able to improve the handling of the car in qualifying. Our course was rather sawtooth since the start of the weekend. This is definitely what I wanted to achieve. “
Soft tires
Verstappen and his team chose to wear the softest rubber offered by Pirelli in their car in the second round of qualifying.
The regulations stipulate that he must start the Grand Prix with the set of tires used to complete his best time in Q2.
Red Bull, for lack of counting a set of medium specification tires in reserve, explained that this decision was the result of a wheel lock by its driver. “No, I’m not nervous,” Verstappen continued. I just can’t wait to start the race, hoping to get out of the first corner in front of the peloton. “
As for Hamilton’s Mercedes, it will be equipped with medium-type tires when the red lights go out this morning. If the start goes smoothly, it is therefore to be expected that Verstappen will be faster than him during the first stint.
“He deserves the pole position “
The Briton, however, will be able to extend his course with more enduring tires before making his first stop. What he did not fail to emphasize when he appeared in front of the camera. Not without wiping malicious boos from the main stand.
“We are in a good position with our tires for the race,” said the man who had dominated the last free practice session a few hours earlier and the Q1 round of qualifying.
“Max had a fantastic lap,” Hamilton continued. The response was impossible on our part. I couldn’t drive faster and it deserves the pole position. In any case, with my second place, I will be able to see where it is placed. Whatever the outcome of the race, this final chapter of an exciting season will mark F1 history. If, on the one hand, Verstappen is crowned champion, he will put an end to seven years of domination by a Mercedes driver and sign his first crown.
On the other hand, a new consecration for Hamilton would ensure him an unheard of eighth world championship.
One more victory
Starting from a top position has proven to be a key to success in Abu Dhabi in recent years. Not only did Verstappen take the top step of the podium last year after setting the fastest time in the third round of qualifying, but since 2015 the holder of the leading position has consistently won the race.
Hamilton (2016, 2018 and 2019), Valtteri Bottas (2017) and Nico Rosberg (2015), all on Mercedes, had preceded him. To be champion, one of the two contenders for the title will have to finish ahead of the other.
♦ The Dutchman is favored by the fact that he currently has one more victory (nine against eight) than his opponent. Thus, in the event that Hamilton finishes ninth (two points) while Verstappen finishes tenth (one point) and scores the fastest lap in the race (another point), the latter will be champion because of his total winnings even s ‘they are tied in the final table.
This dreaded hang-up
So controversial episodes in Formula 1
Archive photo, REUTERS
At the United States Grand Prix in Texas last October, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton narrowly avoided a collision on this maneuver.
It was not until the last of 22 events on the calendar to know the identity of the world champion for the 2021 season in Formula 1.
We will therefore know who of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) or Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) will be titled at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix disputed today.
Occupying the first line at the start, the two contenders for the crown were advised by the bodies of the International Automobile Federation (FIA) that any inappropriate behavior leading to the loss of one or the other (or two) will be subject to severe penalties.
The FIA obviously wants to avoid the repetition of muscular clashes for the championship which have turned into an accident in the past, and this, at the last event of the season.
Two names obviously come first, those of Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna. In 1989 at the Suzuka circuit in Japan, when they were teammates at McLaren, they hung on to the 47e round and the French was crowned champion.
The following year, the tables were turned, again at Suzuka.
Determined to take his revenge, the Brazilian took out his great rival, who had passed to Ferrari, from the first corner, which secured him the title.
Schumacher, twice
In 1994, Michael Schumacher (Benetton) won the first of his seven championships not without elbowing Damon Hill (Williams) at the final stage of the calendar, in Adelaide, Australia.
Three years later, the same Schumacher (Ferrari) did it again this time to Jacques Villeneuve, at the European Grand Prix presented in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.
But this time, the German pilot will be the victim of his own medicine. Forced to retire, Schumacher saw the Quebec driver end his journey in third place to win the title behind the wheel of his Williams.
Norris a little … intimidated
Lando Norris will be a privileged witness to the title race as he managed to place his McLaren in third place on the starting grid of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The British driver admitted he was a bit … intimidated to find himself immediately behind the two championship contenders.
“I’m a little nervous to find myself in this position,” said the young Briton. I don’t want to get too involved, even though I have a race to do. It’s hard to say if I’ll try to pass, although if I have an opportunity, I’ll take it. One thing is certain, I do not want to be at the center of a controversy. “
Fourth on the starting grid, Sergio Pérez assumed his role as teammate when he helped Max Verstappen achieve his fastest time in qualifying. In the race, he could do the same, although, once again, the FIA will be very vigilant to prevent any questionable maneuvers which could dictate the pace of this fateful event.
At Mercedes, Valtteri Bottas certainly did not do his job, having had to settle for the sixth fastest time in qualifying.
It remains to be seen whether, one way or another, he could be a determining factor for his partner Hamilton, since this is his last appearance in the German team.
Stroll at 13e rank
Unlike last week in Saudi Arabia, Lance Stroll and Sebastian Vettel managed to successfully pass the first round of qualifying (Q1). But the celebrations were short-lived as their course stopped at the next stage (Q2).
The two drivers of the Aston Martin team will start from the 13e and 15e positions on the starting grid.
“This 13e place was probably the maximum that could be squeezed out of the car, said the Quebec driver who will compete in the 100th Grand Prix of his F1 career on Sunday. Some modifications to the settings of our single-seater were fruitful, which is positive for the race. We will have a free choice of tires for the start of the event, which gives us more options in terms of strategy. “
The roles are reversed
For only the third time in two years, Canadian Nicholas Latifi (16th fastest in Q1) managed to beat his young teammate George Russell (17th) in qualifying on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
The Briton will be making his last appearance in a Williams as he will take Bottas’ place next year at Mercedes.
♦ This final stage of the season will mark the end of the career of veteran Kimi Räikkönen, who will play his 350e and last F1 Grand Prix. Nicknamed “Iceman”, the 42-year-old Finn (18e starting today) has 21 wins to his name and was crowned world champion in 2007 in his very first season with Ferrari.