Verstappen Wins 2021 F1 Championship Amid Controversy

The 2021 Formula 1 season culminated in a dramatic title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, both finishing level on points before the final race in Abu Dhabi. Verstappen won the championship with 395.5 points, having secured 10 race victories and 10 pole positions throughout the season, compared to Hamilton's 8 wins and 5 poles.

The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw Hamilton initially take the lead and build a comfortable advantage. However, a crash by Nicholas Latifi brought out a Safety Car, allowing Verstappen to pit for fresh soft tyres while Hamilton remained on older hard tyres.

The race restarted with one lap remaining, during which Verstappen overtook Hamilton, winning the race and the championship. The FIA later acknowledged human error in the race director's decisions during the final laps, stating that the director acted in good faith.