“Happy That Was Happening”: Max Verstappen Tells All on That Safety Car Call That Dethroned Lewis Hamilton

Max Verstappen carved his name in the history books by beating Lewis Hamilton in the final lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. The blockbuster race will be hard to forget for a long time. Max won his first World Championship that night and became the first ever Dutchman to do so.

While Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes fans were still in disbelief of what had happened, Max Verstappen and Red Bull fans were ecstatic.

Although it seemed to be a one-sided lead for the Red Bull driver at one stage of the season, both the drivers had come into Sunday’s main race with equal 369.5 points. Mercedes and Lewis fought back valiantly to take the title championship to the final race of the season. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be for the 7-time Championship winner, as Max won his first title in a controversial manner.

Verstappen recalls the end of the safety car and everything that was going through his mind in the Abu Dhabi GP. Furthermore, he sensed an opportunity, took his best shot, and emerged as the new King of F1.

Max said, “I was of course happy that was happening, which is normally got a normal procedure and then you’re just getting ready because you’re focused on getting all the switches right, making sure you have the most power available for the final lap.”

“I knew that’s my opportunity to go for it.”

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The historic 8th Championship eluded Lewis Hamilton as Max Verstappen celebrated his very first one. The Dutch Lion is on his course to winning his second successive championship this year.

Former F1 driver believes Max Verstappen is changing the sport

Former Jordan F1 driver Timo Glock has claimed that Max Verstappen’s dominance this season is “turning F1 upside down”. The German is excited about the current crop of youngsters in the sport. Additionally, he also praised their dominance in the junior categories.

Talking to Beyond the Grid podcast, Glock said, “Max coming into Formula 1, it feels like he is turning F1 upside down at the moment.”

He further continued, “The way he dominates, how he grew up being so competitive against Lewis – Lewis being the older guy as well as Alonso being so experienced, still having the hunger being so motivated to beat the young guys it is just really interesting to see.”

Glock also praised how well George Russell adapted to his move from Williams to Mercedes. George also impressed Timo Glock with how well he got up to speed at Mercedes this season.

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F1 returns this weekend to the Singapore GP. Max Verstappen has won all 5 of his previous races and will be the favorite to win this one as well. Furthermore, he is also closing in on Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel’s record of most race wins in an F1 season, which is 13.

With already having 11 wins this season, can the Dutch prodigy break their records in the remaining 6 races?