Formula 1: The Official Review Of The 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship

The 2021 Formula One World Championship was a season that would be remembered for its unrelenting intensity and dramatic plot twists. At the center of it all were two drivers, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton and young challenger Max Verstappen. The battle between these two drivers would shape the 2021 season like no other championship fight had before. Hamilton and Verstappen's rivalry was a central theme throughout the season, and the tension between these two titans of driving was palpable from the very start. Each driver had a strong team backing them: Hamilton at Mercedes-AMG, and Verstappen at Red Bull Racing. These powerhouse teams pushed their drivers to the absolute limit all season long, often making split-second decisions that could mean the difference between victory and disaster. The season kicked off in Bahrain in early March, Hamilton and Verstappen immediately setting the tone for what was to come. While Hamilton took the pole and the win, Verstappen's drive showed he was no pushover. This back-and-forth dynamic continued at the Australian and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix, with Hamilton securing podium finishes over Verstappen. However, as the season progressed, it became increasingly clear that Verstappen's Red Bull Racing team had improved significantly. They adapted their car setup in the second half of the season and gained an edge that enabled them to compete directly with Mercedes-AMG. This shift put immense pressure on both teams and fueled an escalating series of victories and defeats that had spectators from around the world on the edge of their seats. As for the other drivers in the championship, Esteban Ocon produced an unexpected highlight with his surprise victory in Hungary, which demonstrated that there were still a wealth of talented young drivers in the paddock who had the capacity to take their teammates by surprise. Meanwhile, Daniel Ricciardo's tenacious battle for the flag in Italy and Lando Norris's bold decision to race under the rain-soaked conditions in Russia added to the drama of the series. One of the more interesting storylines in the 2021 season revolved around Sergio Perez, who joined Red Bull Racing mid-season. His arrival marked a significant development, as he became Verstappen's teammate. Perez's arrival not only strengthened Red Bull Racing but also pushed Verstappen to further elevate his game. The pressure of knowing his teammate was capable of challenging him in every area, fueled his desire to perform that bit better, to secure a vital edge in their ongoing battle for the drivers' championship. At the Japanese and São Paulo Grands Prix, the season appeared to swing decisively in Hamilton's favor as he took successive podiums, putting him comfortably back in the drivers' championship lead. However, Verstappen's Red Bull Racing team refused to throw in the towel, with Verstappen taking a crucial second place in Brazil that left him just eight points off the top. A season that promised so much from the get-go reached its inevitable climax at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in mid-November. What would be the final chapter in this epic tale of wits and driving skills? Only one thing was for certain – the drama that had been building would explode in dramatic fashion at this, the 20th and final round of the 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship. With the entire Formula One world watching anxiously, the final showdown was about to unfold. Hamilton and Verstappen battled through a gripping, highly intense final lap, and it was Verstappen who ultimately emerged victorious, snatching the 2021 drivers' championship title. The scene that would play out at Yas Marina Circuit will forever be remembered as a defining moment in the world of F1.