Abu Dhabi | To reach equality on points in the Abu Dhabi final today, unheard of since 1974, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton fought a daunting fight that makes the 2021 vintage part of the history books of Formula 1.
1. Imola – April 18
Verstappen’s response
From the preparatory tests, the duel promises to be intense between the dominant team since 2014, Mercedes, and Red Bull, which seems to have made up for lost time, or even a little better.
Predictions hold true at the first Grand Prix in Bahrain at the end of March, but Verstappen must give Hamilton the lead and victory after passing him out of bounds.
Scorched, the Dutchman responded in the next race at Imola. From third place, he got off to an ideal start, in the aspiration of his opponent who started from a leading position.
On a wet track, “Mad Max” does not hesitate to put two wheels in the grass on the side to reach the Briton at the first corner.
In the chicane, he got the best of Hamilton, pushed on the vibrator, and Verstappen won.
2. Silverstone – July 18
High-flying
For the tenth round, Hamilton appears in front of his home crowd at the British Grand Prix, 32 points behind (the biggest gap of the year).
Author of the best time in qualifying, he must nevertheless leave the leading position to Verstappen, winner of the first qualifying sprint race in the history of F1 on Saturday.
Warmed up, the two pilots embark on a first high-flying lap. After several attempts, Hamilton tried to pass again on the ninth corner of Silverstone stage.
A feint on the outside and “Sir Lewis” dives inside this ultra-fast curve that he knows by heart.
Verstappen does not let go, but is struck by the Englishman and ends his race in the protective wall. Safe and sound, it is all the same from the hospital that he witnesses, furious, the victory of his rival, despite ten seconds of penalty.
The rivalry between the two pilots enters another dimension.
3. Zandvoort – September 5
Orange tide
While there isn’t much suspense in the race, a popular party in the crowded stands sums up the fervor Verstappen is arousing.
For the first Dutch Grand Prix since 1985, the famous “orange army” invaded the site of the Zandvoort circuit with 70,000 spectators.
Already by the thousands in Austria, Hungary or Belgium, the Dutch ultras did not have to drive several hours this time to support the national hero.
In front of his own, Verstappen fulfilled his contract with the position of leader, victory and the place of leader recovered with three points in advance after this thirteenth round of 22.
4. Monza – September 12
The symbol of harshness
The tone is set from the first lap with a small collision without consequence.
But at the halfway point, the outcome is quite different. The Briton, who is aiming for a 100th F1 victory, comes out of a pit stop just ahead of the Dutchman.
At the end of the straight line, the two cars enter side-to-side in the chicane.
Tightened by Hamilton, Verstappen climbs on the vibrators, loses control of his car and literally sees it land on his opponent’s, protected by the halo of his car.
The two ended up in the gravel and gave up, without injury despite the impressive accident. The image will remain as the symbol of the harshness of this struggle.
5. São Paulo – November 14
Lewis’ recital
As at Silverstone, Hamilton arrives roughly in Brazil, 19 points behind. However, he will return to the ring, far from being knocked out.
Starting tenth after a disqualification in the sprint race and a penalty for changing the engine, he climbed back to second place on the 19th lap out of 71 on the Interlagos circuit in São Paulo.
On lap 48, attacked from the outside at turn four, Verstappen defended and led his opponent – and himself – out of bounds for a short time.
The Dutchman is not penalized. Hamilton returned to the charge and ended up overtaking the regular on the 59th lap. After this demonstration, Hamilton repeats in Qatar, to maintain the hope of an eighth record title.
6. Jeddah – December 5
Chaos
In qualifying in Saudi Arabia, on a brand new and very narrow circuit, Verstappen hit a wall at the last corner when the leading position was within his reach.
His perfect lap is wasted, he will start third on the starting grid behind the two Mercedes of Hamilton and Bottas.
The Briton, in the lead position, flies off to an uneventful race when Mick Schumacher’s accident interrupts the race.