The 2021 Formula 1 season concluded in Abu Dhabi this weekend (10-12 December), and it's safe to say that the season is one that will certainly go down in history. A title battle that came right down to the last couple of races. Two incredibly talented drivers, two incredible teams. It was tense, to say the least. Here, I'm taking a quick look at the thrilling season we've been treated to as we head into the Winter break.
The season opener, in Bahrain, set the tone for the season, proving that Red Bull and Max Verstappen were really ready to challenge reigning champions Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton for the title and, since then, the rollercoaster season has been tight.
With crashes, DNFs, penalties, scandals, it's been up and down all year round. At one point, Max held a 33 point lead over Lewis but, by this final race, the top two were tied on points. 369.5 points each. This is the first time this has happened since 1974. Although tied on points at the (almost) end of this dramatic season, Max technically had the championship lead - going into the final race with nine race wins while Lewis had eight race wins.
So, the finale took place at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi. The race in one word? Crazy. Or maybe I should choose controversial.
The race started with drama, with Lewis getting the better start and taking the lead, later making contact with the Red Bull of Max Verstappen and hot debate on who was right or wrong in the supposed running wide of Lewis - although the stewards decided no investigation necessary. Lewis created a fairly large gap while Max's tyres started to suffer, the two took their pit stops, with Max P4 and Lewis P2, and then it was Max's team mate Sergio Perez's time to shine in P1, tasked with holding Lewis up. Max got back into P3, with a 12 second gap to Lewis, while sensational defending from his Mexican team mate meant he cost Lewis six seconds, bringing Max well and truly back into the race, with the two Red Bulls switching position (Max to P2, Checo to P3). A virtual safety car later allowed Max a cheap pit stop and he was flying, trying to close the gap to Lewis. With less than ten laps to go, Red Bull boss Christian Horner sounded like he'd given up, making a plea to the racing gods for a miracle. That miracle came in the form of Nicholas Latifi, who crashed and bought out the safety car. A controversial decision to allow only certain lapped cars (those in between Lewis and Max) to pass through meant that, with only one lap remaining, the fight between Lewis and Max was on. Having pitted for soft tyres during the safety car period, Max took his chance and passed Lewis when racing resumed. A tense final lap followed, where Lewis put up a huge fight but, ultimately, it was Max Verstappen who met the chequered flag first, claiming his first ever world championship. It was thrilling - and seemingly extremely fitting that it ended in such an intense, last-minute way.
Obviously, Red Bull were ecstatic over the result - with Max expressing his love for his team, saying he wants to do this for the next 10 or 15 years with them. Mercedes on the other hand, despite winning the constructors title for a record-breaking eighth time, were not happy and later lodged two protests. One alleging that Max overtook Lewis during the safety car period and the other relating to the safety car procedure - both were later rejecting, confirming that Max is indeed our 2021 champion.
Elsewhere, Carlos Sainz finished in third position - a perfect end to the season for the spaniard - and Yuki Tsunoda took his best ever Formula 1 finish in fourth.
It was a disappointing end for Alfa Romeo's Kimi Raikkonen and Antonio Giovinazzi, who both had their final race with the team in Abu Dhabi, as the duo retired from the race. Kimi goes on to retirement, while Antonio is making the switch to Formula E - a move that hopefully won't stop a future return to F1.
A similar end to the race came for Williams, as George Russell experienced braking issues and was forced to retire, and (as earlier mentioned) Nicholas Latifi crashed out.
It was certainly an intense race, to say the least. And I don't know about you, but I was on the edge of my seat - I've been nervous about it all weekend and it's been all I've thought about all week. I felt physically sick at the start of the race, and by the time that last lap came around, the adrenaline was well and truly flowing - it was crazy racing. And I loved it.
The British Grand Prix was wild. A crash between Max and Lewis (which ultimately sent Max to the hospital) sent the fans wild and meant that Charles Leclerc (my forever fave, if you didn't already know) wangled his way to lead the race - only to be unfortunately overtaken by Lewis with three laps to go.
And I think my third favourite race would be Brazil. Lewis deserves a lot of praise and credit for his performance that weekend - truly proving that he still has the talent and drive that makes him the incredible driver he is. It was amazing to watch him weave his way through the field to P5 after starting the sprint race in P20, and then go on to win the race after starting the Grand Prix in P10. The race was dramatic, and obviously with controversy, but Lewis was the shining star without a doubt.
Special shoutouts also go to Monza (because who didn't like that McLaren 1-2 finish, and a well-deserved, long awaited Danny Ric win?!) and, simply for it's drama, Saudi Arabia - although the safety of this track definitely needs looking at. I certainly hope we see some changes before the F1 returns there early next season.
Standout drivers? Despite the obvious, title contenders Lewis and Max, my star drivers are Carlos Sainz and Pierre Gasly. Carlos has settled into his seat at Ferrari seamlessly, with four podiums and a streak of 15 races scoring points, Carlos finished P5 in the drivers' standings - above teammate Charles Leclerc. Gasly, similarly to Sainz, has been on a roll this year, making a habit of point scoring, fantastic qualifying and general great performance. Both drivers are wonderful, and criminally underrated - I truly believe they don't get the credit they deserve, something I hope will change in the 2022 season.
All in all, it's been an enthralling season and, despite it's many controversies, we're incredibly lucky to have been able to witness it. It really did all come right down to the wire, with the final lap being the decider. We're ending the year with a brand new world champion. Max Verstappen is the 2021 Formula 1 World Champion. He's the first of this new, younger generation to secure the title, and I think that's incredibly exciting; we're entering a new era for the sport with the new regulations coming in next year and, with drivers like Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and George Russell on the grid (and in top teams) and Alex Albon making his return, next year looks like it'll be just as spicy. And I can't wait.
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