At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this Sunday, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen will want to emerge victorious from among the most dramatic champion contests Formula One has ever seen.Its been unbelievable, its been unpredictable and its been controversial. It might sound clichéd, but if you were to make a checklist of all the important things you need to make a genuinely fantastic champion battle, this actually has had them all.The stakes are clear. They are level on points, so winner takes all. When it comes to a tie, Verstappen wins the title as he has another victory over the season.Heres all the components of this years fight and why they have all combined together to make this years battle so incredibly special.Two generational talentsOne of the fantastic parts of this years champion has actually been how massively different the two protagonists are in regards to where they are in their lives and careers.On one side is British chauffeur Hamilton, 36 years old, a seven-time world champ, a global superstar and a progressively vocal advocate of social modification. Hamilton has won more races than any other motorist and presently sits joint top of the all-time list with Michael Schumacher in career champions. A 8th championship would certainly make Hamilton F1s undisputed GOAT.On the other is Dutch motorist Verstappen, 24 years of ages, who keeps a much lower profile away from racing. His daddy, Jos, was a racer and previous teammate of Schumacher in the 1990s. Verstappen is going for his very first world champion and appears the most likely driver to challenge the records Hamilton has been breaking over the last couple of seasons.This finale is the stuff of Hollywood filmmakers dreams. It will either be a death of the torch moment or an achievement F1 has never seen prior to. Its the traditional tale of 2 generations clashing. Whatever the sport, its tough not to find that type of story compelling.Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton are at vastly different points of their professions and lives. Emilio Morenatti – Pool/Getty ImagesThere are a few similarities in between the two. Both drivers were viewed as prodigious skills from an early age. Like Hamilton in 2007, Verstappen entered Formula One in 2015 allocated as a future world champ. Red Bull and Mercedes both wanted him on their program– eventually it was Red Bulls ability to provide him an instant race seat with junior group Toro Rosso (now AlphaTauri), which Mercedes might not match, that swayed the Dutchman. He made his launching aged 17. Hamilton won a championship in his 2nd season in 2008 with McLaren after a near-miss as a novice, but was far from polished as a motorist in the early years of his profession. Before he signed up with Mercedes in 2013, Hamiltons kind was frustratingly erratic– he would claim a stunning race victory one week and collide with another motorist the next.Verstappens early career was similar in that sense. Nearly incredibly talented, he ended up being F1s youngest race winner at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, his very first race with Red Bull, however his aggressive driving design was criticised in the early years by 3 former world champs in Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen.Two uniformly matched teamsRed Bull was immediately competitive versus Mercedes this year. Picture by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP through Getty ImagesThe stars aligned in a nearly ideal way for Red Bull this year. Hamilton and Mercedes have actually dominated F1 considering that 2014 and this has actually been the hardest the German manufacturer has needed to work for a champion in that time.Red Bull and Hondas collaboration successfully advanced in 2021. Honda had an awful time of things with McLaren from 2015 up until 2017, but the progress made with Red Bull was clear in the years after they joined forces in 2019. With Red Bulls car-building prowess as strong as its ever been, an engine that could fight Mercedes put them right at the front of the field.A change of technical policies for the 2021 season likewise assisted Red Bull. With F1s major guideline overhaul postponed until 2022 due to the pandemic, the teams accepted keep the same standard foundations of the automobiles from 2020 to 2021. The idea was to conserve costs but there was likewise a concern that Pirellis tires– which havent been appropriately established for 3 years due to the Italian manufacturer switching focus to the next set of policies– would not be able to handle another year of advancement of the 2020 cars.The solution was to cut away parts of the floor by means of the technical regulations and simplify the styles of barge boards and rear brake ducts. It might sound very techy and tedious, but those changes had a bigger negative influence on Mercedes style viewpoint than Red Bulls, implying Mercedes lost major ground to its rival over the winter season while Red Bull made relative gains. The result was 2 automobiles that look extremely similar to last years however are a lot more closely matched in performance.Of course, the essential third part of that title-contending equation is the man in the car. Verstappen has actually risen to the function of champion competitor very. He has said he discovered large parts of 2019 and 2020 relatively dull, as he would frequently be racing on his own for 3rd position, but he extremely quickly realised in preseason testing this year he had a vehicle efficient in challenging for the title.Hes shown no sign of that being too intimidating a task. Numerous individuals at Red Bull have actually said to ESPN how astonished they are at how calm and robotic Verstappen has actually appeared through the seasons most intense minutes this year. While everyone understood he was excellent entering into 2021, this year has been verification of how exceptionally talented the Dutchman is.Supreme performancesRed Bull was instantly competitive against Mercedes this year. Image by JAVIER SORIANO/AFP via Getty ImagesBefore we get on to the accidents and controversies in between the set, it is essential to keep in mind both chauffeurs have actually turned in championship-calibre efficiencies this season.Verstappen has actually had numerous incredibly rounded weekend performances. At his first Dutch Grand Prix, Verstappen was supreme in front of a raucous home crowd and dominated all weekend. He appeared to be the only individual in Zandvoort who didnt understand the magnitude of what he was achieving.At the U.S. Grand Prix, Verstappen endured race-long pressure from Hamilton to win. In Mexico, he passed both Mercedes motorists on the run down to Turn 1 to lead. He has actually appeared like a champ for much of the season.For Hamilton, the standout efficiency of his season so far was at the Brazilian Grand Prix. His fightback through the field at Interlagos, both in sprint certifying and then again in the race itself, was a sublime showcase of all of Hamiltons unique skills and a suggestion that he often performs at his best when he feels as though his back protests the wall.Hamiltons success at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix was also excellent as he held back Verstappens much faster Red Bull which was likewise on fresher tyres towards the end of the race.Collisions and near-misses on trackThe intensity of this season has actually been elevated by the fact Hamilton and Verstappen have actually collided on three occasions.The initially of these was the British Grand Prix, when Hamilton hit Verstappen as the Red Bull chauffeur tried to overtake him around the exterior of Copse corner on the opening lap. Christian Horner later labelled the seven-time world champs move “unskilled” and said Hamilton had put Verstappens security in jeopardy.Hamilton reasoned that he had prevented crashes with Verstappen one a lot of times. He and Mercedes contended Verstappen might have gone wide and prevented what occurred which the Red Bull chauffeur likewise took way more speed into the corner than he had in qualifying, when he had a more nimble car with far less fuel in the tank.Hamilton got a time charge but battled back through the field to win the race while Verstappen was sent to the health center for precautionary check-ups. To say Red Bull were angry about how Silverstone unfolded would probably be downplaying it somewhat. While they were furious at Hamilton only getting a 10-second penalty, Red Bull was also disturbed with Mercedes celebrating the victory while Verstappen was still being inspected in medical facility. Compounding all of that was the truth the collision meant Red Bull lost an engine– which Vestappen incurred a grid penalty for later in the year– and needed to pay a significant repair work bill in the very first year under Formula Ones expense cap.Whoever was incorrect and ideal in all of that, the tone around the title battle has actually never been the same since.A second crash followed at the Italian Grand Prix in September, when Verstappen tried to pass Hamilton on the within the first chicane but wound up on top of his competitors vehicle in the gravel trap. Mercedes manager Toto Wolff identified Verstappens move a “professional foul” and the stewards concurred the Dutch driver was primarily to blame on that event, handing him a three-place grid drop for the next race.- Why the stewards blamed Verstappen over Hamilton at Monza Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton crashed during the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo di Monza. Image by Dan Istitene – Formula 1/Formula 1 by means of Getty ImagesThe third, and strangest, accident was at last weekends Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. While protecting the lead, Verstappen ran himself and Hamilton off the roadway at Turn 1. Red Bull told him to provide the position back in worry of a charge and he slowed drastically in the middle of the back straight to do so. Hamilton, uninformed Verstappen had actually been given the order to offer the position back, appeared baffled or caught in 2 minds about what to do and ended up slamming into the back of the Red Bull.Hamilton labelled Verstappen “insane”, while Verstappen and Red Bull were confused regarding why Hamilton had not simply passed him on the left.With neither chauffeur desiring to give the other the lead prior to the DRS detection point, which would help their opportunities of an overtake on the go to Turn 1, the collision seemed to be a best storm of a misunderstanding in between two motorists and two motorists attempting some form of gamesmanship, all playing out throughout a couple of seconds. The stewards discovered Verstappen mainly to blame when it emerged the information from his vehicle validated he had knocked on the brakes directly in front of Hamilton, resulting in the collision.On top of those accidents, there have been some close calls. At Imola Verstappen required Hamilton large at Turn 1 while wrestling the lead from him. That minute would be important later in Hamiltons thinking at Silverstone, when he declined to yield for Verstappen.The most substantial was at the Brazilian Grand Prix in November, where Verstappen required Hamilton large while protecting the lead. Hamilton went broad to avoid the crash, as he felt Verstappen could and must have done to prevent what happened at the British Grand Prix.Verstappens move went unpunished by the FIA and Mercedes appealed, unsuccessfully. That choice apparently gave the plan for what is and isnt permitted when racing at this weekends final race, although Verstappen was given a five-second penalty for the similar occurrence at Saudi Arabia last weekend.Legitimate animosityThe strength of the on-track fight has actually spilled over into the media rather often this year. Sometimes over the past few months things have actually been downright ugly.Hamilton has made no trick of what he thinks about Verstappens technique, saying recently that his competing believes F1s rules do not apply to him which he is always racing “over the limitation.” Verstappen can be prickly with the media on questionable subjects however has been relatively restrained over what he has actually said about Hamilton. He does not shy away from criticising F1s stewards, nevertheless. Last week, he said the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix was “not Formula One” and an example of what he feels is the sports over-regulated nature.Whats noteworthy about this champion fight is that Hamiltons and Verstappens particular managers, Wolff and Horner, have actually likewise locked horns on a variety of celebrations. The displeasure between those 2 is extremely real and is on a much higher scale than any animosity that exists between Hamilton and Verstappen.The shots the two have fired at each other have offered some fantastic soundbites and headings. In 2015 Wolff said Horner was a “windbag;” this year Horner said Wolff reminded him of a pantomime villain. Horner has also enjoyed the opportunity to recommend, on many events, that Wolff “inherited” the dominant Mercedes team from Ross Brawn, who left his role as boss in 2013. This wintry relationship was never ever clearer to see than in the days leading up to the Qatar Grand Prix, when Wolff and Horner sat together in an exceptionally tense interview and engaged each other in a war of words on a variety of topics, with a couple of low-cost shots included along the way.Christian Horner and Toto Wolff have actually never ever shied away from criticising each other. Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesHorner has been especially good at ratcheting up the stress in the media however seemed to journey over himself while doing this at the end of the weekend when he earned himself a very public slap on the wrist from the FIA for suggesting a “rogue marshal” had actually waved a yellow flag Verstappen had actually not slowed down for in certifying – Verstappen was handed a grid charge as a result.The scheduling of F1s confrontation undoubtedly increase the feud even further. This weekends occasion will be the 5th race (across 3 different continents) in 6 weeks. With races coming thick and fast recently its felt like a pressure-cooker, both groups have actually ended up being even more entrenched in opposing and unmoveable positions versus the other.A winner-takes-all-showdownWhat actually has actually set this apart from many other title battles is that Verstappen and Hamilton are level on points– the only time that occurred previously between 2 title competitors was in 1974. It is practically amazing it is this closely matched after numerous occurrences and races.However it goes, it appears completely poised for one final piece of drama in some form.there, way or shape have actually been some legendary title battles in F1 which ended in significant scenarios. Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost collided twice to decide champions in 1989 and 1990, however both happened at the penultimate round of those seasons. Schumacher clashed with Damon Hill in 1994 and Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 to win and lose a champion respectively, while Hamilton beat Felipe Massa to the title by passing Timo Glock at the penultimate corner of the 2008 Brazilian Grand Prix to win his very first title.But none of those had this title battles most apparent selling point– being winner-takes-all. On paper it is a remarkably easy premise however provided how close they have actually been all year, and with the recent controversy about what the rules of racing are, undoubtedly there have actually been questions about whether this title fight will end with another accident between the pair.It would be an embarassment for it to end that method but it seems a really real possibility provided the events of the year. Presuming that will be the outcome likewise does a massive injustice to 2 drivers who have actually shown unbelievable racing performances throughout the year and who are both in this position on merit.As it has been for much of the year, it is impossible to call which way this will go.However it ends, F1 will crown a worthy 2021 world champion on Sunday night in Abu Dhabi– just how we get to that point stays to be seen.
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His fightback through the field at Interlagos, both in sprint certifying and then again in the race itself, was a sublime display of all of Hamiltons special talents and a pointer that he frequently performs at his best when he feels as though his back is against the wall.Hamiltons victory at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix was also excellent as he held off Verstappens much quicker Red Bull which was also on fresher tires towards the end of the race.Collisions and near-misses on trackThe intensity of this season has been elevated by the fact Hamilton and Verstappen have actually collided on 3 occasions.The first of these was the British Grand Prix, when Hamilton hit Verstappen as the Red Bull chauffeur tried to overtake him around the exterior of Copse corner on the opening lap. Christian Horner later labelled the seven-time world champs relocation “incompetent” and said Hamilton had actually put Verstappens security in jeopardy.Hamilton reasoned that he had avoided crashes with Verstappen one too numerous times. He and Mercedes competed Verstappen might have gone wide and prevented what took place and that the Red Bull chauffeur likewise took way more speed into the corner than he had in certifying, when he had a more nimble cars and truck with far less fuel in the tank.Hamilton got a time penalty however fought back through the field to win the race while Verstappen was sent to the medical facility for precautionary check-ups. Hamilton, unaware Verstappen had been given the order to provide the position back, appeared confused or caught in 2 minds about what to do and ended up slamming into the back of the Red Bull.Hamilton identified Verstappen “insane”, while Verstappen and Red Bull were puzzled as to why Hamilton had not just passed him on the left.With neither motorist desiring to offer the other the lead prior to the DRS detection point, which would help their chances of an overtake on the run to Turn 1, the accident seemed to be a best storm of a misunderstanding between two drivers and two chauffeurs trying some form of gamesmanship, all playing out over the course of a few seconds. Dan Istitene/Getty ImagesHorner has been particularly good at ratcheting up the stress in the media but appeared to journey over himself while doing this at the end of the weekend when he made himself a really public slap on the wrist from the FIA for recommending a “rogue marshal” had waved a yellow flag Verstappen had actually not slowed down for in certifying – Verstappen was handed a grid penalty as a result.The scheduling of F1s encounter certainly ramped up the feud even further.
