P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP is still one of the most talked about moments, with Max Verstappen snatching victory from Lewis Hamilton
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was dubbed a ‘scandal’ by an F1 insider due to the controversial incidents beyond the safety car issue where Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the final lap.
Verstappen’s late overtake on Hamilton at Yas Marina Circuit led to his first world championship title, amidst a race clouded in controversy.
The deployment of a safety car after Nicholas Latifi’s crash allowed Verstappen to pit for fresh tires, positioning him for a potential attack on Hamilton.
Race director Michael Masi’s decision to let some lapped cars through but not all was seen as an injustice that ultimately led to his dismissal.
Insider Will Buxton highlighted a ‘scandal’ involving Hamilton cutting a chicane without penalty, suggesting it could have changed the race’s outcome significantly.
Since Abu Dhabi 2021, Verstappen has dominated over Hamilton in the drivers’ championship, winning 51 grand prix compared to Hamilton’s two, with their rivalry continuing in the current season as Hamilton leads the standings.
