(Reuters) – Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton head into the closing race of the 2021 Formula One season in Abu Dhabi on Sunday tied on factors, however Verstappen forward on wins.
Here are six standout moments from the championship:
BLOWN TYRE AND BRAKE MAGIC
Azerbaijan Grand Prix – Baku, June 6.
Verstappen, 4 factors clear in the championship, was main Mexican crew mate Sergio Perez in a Red Bull one-two when a tyre blew on the primary straight with 5 laps to go.
The race was halted with Hamilton set to money in on his rival’s misfortune. Perez led away at the re-start with Hamilton second however by accident partaking a ‘brake magic’ swap which despatched him down an escape street. He completed fifteenth whereas Perez received.
RECRIMINATIONS AFTER TITLE RIVALS COLLIDE
British Grand Prix – Silverstone, July 18
Verstappen went 33 factors clear after profitable the first ever Saturday dash, with Hamilton second. The pair then collided on Sunday’s opening lap.
Verstappen went to hospital for precautionary checks whereas Hamilton collected a 10-second penalty for inflicting the collision however nonetheless received his dwelling grand prix and slashed the result in eight factors.
The second the gloves got here off and relations between the two groups nosedived.
BOTTAS WRECKS VERSTAPPEN’S RACE
Hungarian Grand Prix – Budapest, Aug. 1
Hamilton charged via from final to 3rd to retake the total lead from Verstappen, who completed tenth from second on the grid.
Hamilton’s crew mate Valtteri Bottas wrecked Verstappen’s race when he made a gradual begin and tagged McLaren’s Lando Norris, who was in flip pitched into the Red Bull, bringing out crimson flags.
Hamilton led at the re-start however on the incorrect tyres and needed to pit a lap later, rejoining at the again.
VERSTAPPEN ON TOP OF HAMILTON’S CAR
Italian Grand Prix – Monza, Sept. 12
Another dash weekend, one other collision between the two title rivals. Hamilton began fourth whereas Verstappen inherited pole after engine penalties despatched dash winner Bottas to the again.
Hamilton challenged Verstappen however was compelled onto the run-off space at the second chicane. When Hamilton pitted, he got here out alongside his rival on lap 26 they usually went wheel to wheel earlier than contact into the first chicane.
Verstappen’s Red Bull ended up on prime of Hamilton’s Mercedes and each had been out.
STEWARDS TAKE NO ACTION, HAMILTON LAST TO FIRST
Brazilian Grand Prix – Sao Paulo, Nov. 14
Hamilton wanted to win after Verstappen’s wins in the U.S. and Mexico. The Briton led qualifying for Saturday’s dash however was despatched to the again when his automobile’s rear wing failed a technical inspection.
He fought again to fifth however an engine penalty dropped him to tenth for Sunday, a race he then received.
A key second got here when Verstappen compelled Hamilton off and in addition went broad whereas defending the lead. Stewards took no motion, a call that set a precedent and produced incredulity at Mercedes.
VERSTAPPEN’S ‘BRAKE-TEST’ MOMENT
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah, Dec. 5
Verstappen had his first title shot, whereas Hamilton chased a 3rd win in a row. The Dutch driver was set for pole when he hit the wall at the closing nook.
The race was twice stopped earlier than the pair collided on lap 37 when Verstappen slowed all of a sudden in entrance of Hamilton after being informed at hand again the lead.
Hamilton complained of being ‘brake-tested’ however then received with quickest lap to tie at the prime.
(Compiled by Abhishek Takle and Alan Baldwin; Editing by Rohith Nair)
