Max Verstappen stands on the brink of potentially securing his fifth world drivers championship in Abu Dhabi this weekend. If he achieves this remarkable feat, it will surely evoke a knowing grin from Lewis Hamilton.
The last time Verstappen clinched a world title at the final Formula One race was in 2021, marking the beginning of his unprecedented four consecutive championship wins. This victory was shrouded in controversy due to a contentious interpretation of safety car procedures by the then race director Michael Masi. The outcome of this interpretation allowed Verstappen to overtake Hamilton on the final lap, snatching the record-breaking eighth world title from the British driver.
The contentious events of that day in Abu Dhabi four years ago still resonate with Toto Wolff, who was Hamilton’s team principal at Mercedes at the time. Reflecting on the situation, Wolff expressed his frustration, highlighting the impact of what he termed as a situation beyond his control, resulting in a potential record being taken away from Hamilton due to a single individual’s actions.
Subsequent investigations by the FIA in 2022 revealed that Masi had erred in applying safety car regulations, attributing the decision to human error. Despite this revelation, the final standings remained unchanged, leaving Hamilton out of contention to surpass Michael Schumacher on the all-time championship list. In contrast, Verstappen’s dominance continued, positioning him as a formidable force in the championship race, with odds still favoring Lando Norris, although Verstappen remains a strong contender for a fifth consecutive title.
Should Verstappen secure his fifth championship, it would solidify his position as a frontrunner in the conversation of the Greatest Of All Time, joining the ranks of legends such as Hamilton, Schumacher, and Juan Manuel Fangio. While his 2021 season saw closely matched competition with Hamilton, his Red Bull car emerged as the premier contender on the grid in subsequent years. Despite early success in the 2022 season, Verstappen faced challenges as his car’s performance fluctuated, leading to internal turmoil within the team.
Heading into the final race in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen faced a significant points deficit, trailing behind Oscar Piastri. However, with the current standings showing a mere four-point gap between Verstappen and Norris, a victory for Verstappen in Abu Dhabi coupled with Norris failing to secure a podium finish could propel Verstappen to the championship title. Such an achievement, given the comparative performance of the Red Bull and McLaren cars throughout the season, would undoubtedly mark a pinnacle in Verstappen’s illustrious career.
Reflecting on his journey, Verstappen humbly acknowledged the significance of his four previous world championships, expressing gratitude for his unexpected presence in the title race. His candid remark on the hypothetical scenario of driving Norris’s McLaren underscored his self-awareness and competitive spirit, reaffirming his relentless pursuit of excellence in Formula One.
As the championship showdown in Abu Dhabi approaches, the echoes of past injustices dwindle, paving the way for Verstappen’s legacy to flourish further in the annals of Formula One history.
