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A video of Max Verstappen's overtake on Lewis Hamilton during the 2021 F1 Abu Dhabi GP resurfaced recently. It was the championship-deciding race of the season where Verstappen took victory on the final lap.
It has been two years since Max Verstappen won his first world championship, defeating Lewis Hamilton, who was battling for his eighth title. Both drivers were on equal points heading into the final race. While Hamilton had the lead for the majority of the race, a late safety car helped flip the result.
Verstappen, who was running in second place, took the free pit stop and got a fresh set of soft tires. Meanwhile, Mercedes decided to let Hamilton stay out for track position. There was nothing but backmarkers separating the two cars.
In a controversial decision made by Michael Masi, the former race director, the backmarkers were allowed to unlap, thus leaving the two contenders in a one-to-one battle.
As the race restarted on the final lap, the Red Bull driver took the opportunity to overtake Hamilton.
As this clip of the overtaking move resurfaced, several fans reacted on social media. While some celebrated Verstappen's first world championship, others were not too happy with the events that took place in Abu Dhabi that night.
One fan said:
"Fake emotions, they knew the FIA would help them."
"This will be etched in memory of both Redbull/Max fans and Mercedes/Lewis fans for different reasons," another wrote.
"One of the most beautiful moments in sporting history. Never get tired of watching it," said another fan.
Lewis Hamilton praises Max Verstappen after his dominant 2023 F1 season
Since the 2021 season, Max Verstappen has been on an utterly dominant run. He is now a three-time world champion, having won 19 out of the 22 races in the 2023 F1 season.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton finished the season in third position, behind Red Bull's Sergio Perez. It was a difficult year for Mercedes, but Hamilton hopes to come back stronger in the next season. During the FIA Prize Giving ceremony, he praised Verstappen and the entire team.
"I have to say big congratulations to Red Bull and Max and Checo, they have done an incredible job this year. Max was faultless. The team really raised the bar."
There was a close battle between Ferrari and Mercedes for the second place in the championship. The latter managed to stay ahead by just three points. However, there was a large gap between them and Red Bull, and Lewis Hamilton intends to close it.
"We have a lot of work to close that gap and I truly believe we can close that gap."
Mercedes is expecting a much stronger 2024 season as team principal Toto Wolff earlier revealed that all the components of the car would be changed. The team will hope to battle for yet another world championship, and their first one since they won the world constructors' championship in 2021.
