The great championship season of recent memories yet the stupidest and the most childish and most ridiculous way to end
Overview
It's no new story that the COVID-19 virus would continue to hamper the whole world. No exception either for the next gen car that had been promised to be raced in 2021 would be postponed a year after. Teams mostly continued their last year car which was mostly issued alot in reliability. The one of the most regulation changes was the lowered rear downforce.
Racing Point was rebranded as Aston Martin following to the others' claims of the 2019 winning W10 copy. Renault was rebranded as Alpine supplied by Renault. With engine sound completely different to the whining e-tech previously. Further down, Haas was sponsored by Uralkali which was a Russian company. Meanwhile, Williams saw another livery change similiar to the livery Sauber used in 2000s. But the point of talk were the struggle of Mercedes in the pre-season test and the potential title challenger after long years of their dominance over Lewis Hamilton.
Early season
Lots doubted about the Mercedes' struggle which was more considered as sandbagging. The proof? Indeed they were. With Hamilton anticipated the season opener in Qatar straight out of the book. However the rumour about Max Verstappen, the one who would challenge Hamilton became truth as he trailed Hamilton closely to the end on that particular race. That alone was the very beginning...
One-on-one
Hamilton and Mercedes began to pull even further until Monaco when both cars were low. Knowing the two championship contenders would likely be there for each other, losing more than one position would greatly turn the tables. Like in Monaco where Lewis was 7th, Hamilton's failure to capitalize 25 points leap over Verstappen prior to the start finish line tyre blow meant that neither contender made any change in the championship. Many f1 analysts told a sudden reel of Red Bull's pace bettered the Mercedes to even dominate them on three consecutive races followed.
The turn-up and the controversial weirdness from the FIA's twisted race regulator, Michael Masi
The weirdest rule ever made and the worst ever to be allowed, was the allowance of teams speaking with the race director regarding of track incidents between their respective drivers. Meaning that The first call to the race director was initiated by Mercedes in Catalunya prior to team's 2-stop strategy set for Hamilton to outsmart Red Bull's single stopper for Verstappen. Eventually proved to be a 2019 Hungary reminisce. While Hamilton was going to lap the Haas of Mazepin from distance afar, Toto Wolff called Michael Masi in order to get the Haas pulled over off Hamilton's charge. Gunther who was against this act responded that Toto was in charge and his command was absolute. Saying that every lapped cars should immediately moved over as his drivers came by when he told so. In ultimate case meant that Toto's personal authorities were even above the regulations.
Until this present time, no confirmation is given about the firm addition of sprint format just yet. The addition of sprint format was another strong mark of the 2021 regulation changes. It stated the sunday or the main race's grid order instead of the three qualifying on the case appointed as the grid for the sprint race. With the top 3 given a maximum of 3 and a minimum of 1 championship point. Only to be contested at 3 selected rounds said to be a testimony under serious considerable implementation. The three rounds were Silverstone, Monza, and Interlagos. Which i personally think that this is a rather stupid idea to come up with. Instead it should have been stated at the start of the regulation changes statement as a firm fixture or rather not at all.
Back to the championship, Silverstone became the first key point of championship spectacle as Hamilton clashed into Verstappen. Causing Max to crash out of the race. Straightly out of the book, Toto Wolff called the race director to defend possible detrimentations against Hamilton for causing Verstappen crashing out of the race. And the result was a 10 second stop/go penalty which could be served along with scheduled stop. Another penalty system i call my disapproval. Not anything against Hamilton on the particular time but likely in general. Rather the case was Hamilton won the race regardless of penalty while knocking out the title rival, deliberately slashed 25 points out of Verstappen's 34 point lead. Max himself stated on his twitter about how unsportmanly Hamilton and Mercedes took the victory. A race later in Hungary, that time it was Valtteri Bottas who braked too late at the first corner deliberately caused multi-car mayhem. He eventually clattered into both Red Bulls. He shunted into Norris who clattered into Verstappen and sideswiped Perez out of the race. As a result Verstappen suffered floor damage and his championship tally as he was only able to nurse the car in 10th. While Hamilton was handed 2nd due to the fuel extraction issue of Sebastian Vettel.
Belgium saw massive torrential rain during the qualifying session. It became worse and ended abruptly the 3rd qualifying session as Lando Norris crashed at the famous Eau Rouge. No improvement of the weather the day after as the red flag was brought out along serious safety considerations. It could have been the maiden win for the rising star from the ailing Williams, George Russell whose pole was snatched by Verstappen. George seperated both Verstappen and Hamilton meant Verstappen reeled back into Hamilton's lead. Verstappen managed to dominate his home race at Zandvoort ahead of Hamilton. With a twist of order for Valtteri Bottas to abort and give the fastest lap to his teammate. It became the trend later on and for the rest of the season.
The Silverstone fire was brought back later again at Monza. Verstappen forced Hamilton at the second chicane but later was costed by a slow pit stop. He eventually was passed by Hamilton. Max made a desperate repass, flied and then clattered into Hamilton with both ended up in the gravel trap by clipping the Retifilio chicane sausage kerb over his suspension. On Hamilton's view, he kept the line everyone uses to lap the circuit. With both off, the issue rised on. Consequently Verstappen was given a 3 grid penalty for the next race in Sochi. The funny thing about this incident to the one in Silverstone, it was clearly Hamilton's fault for crashing into Verstappen, knocking him out of the race, but was only given a ten second pit servable stop-go penalty. However despite that, his withstood the collision impact within the incident and therefore won the race. Meanwhile in Monza Verstappen forced off Lewis off the De la Rogia chicane and eventually brought the main incident at Retifilio with both of them out, given a 3 grid penalty.
In my point of view, Hamilton did a much more dier racing rule violation than Verstappen. Acknowledging the gap from Hamilton to Verstappen was one DNF away mentioned by Toto Wolff, it couldn't get much dirtier of how the gap was reeled. Therefore that secretly yet directly showed their desperation of not being able to find the answer against Red Bull's immersive pace snychronized along Verstappen. Back on Catalunya 2016 where both Silver Arrows collided, with Hamilton was the causer of the incident trying to pass Rosberg in turn 4, got into the grass and braked in it, sending him clattering into Rosberg. Both out, and no decisions of violation handed to neither of them. Which i think should be the case for the Monza incident as well. Verstappen eventually took the power unit change and started from the back of the grid to climb all the way to 2nd. Seeing late victory denial for Lando Norris.
The more controversial twists between the protagonists, teams and Masi
A race later took place in Istanbul Park, which the venue was chosen yet again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. If previously Verstappen took the power unit change, that time it was Hamilton who did. Hamilton finished fifth with an incredible fight given by Perez along the way and the bad decision from the team strategist. Max retalilated back to lead the championship. Took a steady defense in Texas and by a margin in Mexico. Red Bull anticipated more extraction of their superior pace over Mercedes in Interlagos. However, it was Mercedes and Hamilton who proved them wrong. Only just, there was an infringement of Hamilton's rear wing caught during the end of third qualifying session, the final week of the sprint race which caused him to be disqualified off the session. Placing him all the way back on the grid. He railed up into fifth to set the main race place. With Verstappen extended his lead by obtaining 2nd in sprint.
As the race arrived at lap 48, yet again there was yet another controversy between the two. While Hamilton was running into the right side before turn 4 Verstappen fended off the chase. He forced Hamilton wide off but even he went off the track. It was Red Bull then who gave the persuasion regarding that incident by letting both drivers race their limits. In contrast of the Mercedes, it was claimed as an unfair advantage. In the end no further investigation continued as Hamilton passed Verstappen for the win. Some words were given regarding that weekend. Max's defensive manouvre was nowhere for him to make through the corner and there could be more about Hamilton's rear wing infringement against the Silver Arrows. But somehow it remained as it was.
Hamilton dominated the whole week in Qatar. Won by more than 30 seconds ahead of Verstappen, who was demoted 5 places for ignoring the double waved yellows. The same went for the first ever race in Saudi Arabia. Hamilton went pole which was almost snatched by Verstappen who crashed at the final corner's wall. Hamilton levelled Verstappen in amount of points by winning the race and obtaining the fastest lap. However, the race saw multiple occasions of safety cars with drivers crashing into the surrounding barriers. There were even more confusions and incidents which was the turning point of the championship. After the first restart, Max went wide into the run off area of turn one, ran Hamilton wide near the barrier at turn to and took the lead. More crash incidents in the background meant another red flag was brought so as another restart. Red Bull was informed by Masi about the first corner move by Verstappen was deemed illegal. With Esteban Ocon seperating the two drivers at the second restart. Lewis reeled Verstappen through many laps after, clattered into the left rear of Verstappen causing Verstappen to straighten out into the same run off area, miles ahead of Hamilton while Max wasn't giving any space. Like in Brazil, he didn't make the corner.
Max was told to give the position back to Hamilton the moment he ran off the run off area. Near the DRS straight, Max was about to yield, yet done incorrectly made Hamilton shunted the rear end. Many told that neither wanted to be ahead of the DRS straight. Laps later, Verstappen gave the position back to Hamilton, only metres before a retake on the hairpin. The 5 second blame was given later for Verstappen's run off advantage. Not for the collision in the DRS straight.
I believe there might be unheard persuasions raining from Red Bull made the race director reconsider the penalty as i all year long just saw the supercut highlights. I would say, Max could be ultimately black flagged or even handed a stop/go penalty. At first not even i could consider a word rather than expecting Max to just finish ahead of Lewis in order to save the championship deficit for the next race in Abu Dhabi. Knowing that the two will be there all the time.
The 2021 level pegging said to be the first time in history since 1974. As the finale headed into Abu Dhabi, it was the may the best man win stake. Whoever finished ahead of the rival, won the championship. For that season, the circuit saw layout changes. The straight line after the sweeping turn three was used instead of the chicane. In the second sector, the twisting 90 degrees chicanes and turns took a longer way into the left sweeping hairpin. On the get go Verstappen dived an attack before the slow chicane, forcing Hamilton off into the run off area but barely slow down during it and gained bigger advantage. Again, Red Bull implied another call to imply Hamilton's potential violation. Yet no further sort. Verstappen entirely had almost no chance whatsoever of closing the gap lap after lap. Not even Red Bull's assistance through Sergio Perez team game against Hamilton. Eventually after it, no signs Verstappen would close down either.
The later stage, Nicolas Latifi crashed after the hairpin. The controversy went on as Red Bull persuaded Masi to have the two drivers battled closely one another. Masi then called some lapped cars to unlap themselves. Which a rather a questionable decision wasn't the function of the blue flag at the first place. With the safety car went very slow, Verstappen was able to close the gap down near Hamilton despite the tyre change. And so, Verstappen took his momentum on the last lap to steal the crown from Hamilton. Toto Wolff raged, objecting how Masi regulated the last few caution laps wasn't right. Mainly, the decision unlapping some drivers and bringing in the safety car at the last lap.
I personally think that Max's aggressive style has gone way too far into recklessness rather than who he was in the early days. Especially his quality defensive showing he did as a Toro Rosso driver along with Carlos Sainz in Melbourne and the way he fended off Hamilton to brake late and go wide in Suzuka back in 2016. Also the reason he won over the endless charge from Kimi Raikkonen. As for the ending, many say that Max should not be crowned champion. On second thought, i personally think the same. But it would be bad for the sport if Lewis was crowned champion as it meant that the Mercedes remains undefeated. People have been pretty bored with this, and it should have been ended but not anything forceful or controversial like this. Just like previous dominances, FIA always changes regulations.
The goods from the rest
The rest of the field seen to be much appreciated than before. From the lows, George Russell was considered ahead of the car. He finally earned points driving the ailing Williams to earn 8th in Hungary. The first time they scored points since Germany 2018. Later he also scored single point in later races. The most spectacle ones, were his extraordinary battle with Alonso at Austria and his near win, his first ever podium in Spa where he was faster than Hamilton but denied pole. Into the french azure colors of Alpine, it was clear that they could be considered tough and they will improve even further. With Esteban Ocon won the Hungarian grand prix and later consistently scored points. Also the another denial of podium even potential second win in Saudi Arabia. As for Fernando Alonso, it was welcome back for him returning into the podium in Qatar, the first in 8 years. The driver of the day who helped Esteban to win in Hungary.
Similarily in the British green of Aston Martin, Sebastian Vettel might be far from his will at first, to win. Yet, he was still considered impressive as he brought the team's only podium and the best finish of second all year in Azerbaijan. Red Bull sister team Alpha Tauri saw themselves the always impressive Pierre Gasly. Undoubtfully, it was a great heartbreak for him unable to replicate the win at Monza the previous year. Nonetheless, he scored a 3rd place finish in Baku. He consistently scored himself a top ten and top five finishes.
Into the teams of past glories, Ferrari and McLaren were still considered far behind the Red Bull and Mercedes. Though, the battle for third place on the constructor was still a worthy spectacle. McLaren saw themselves another great season. Lando Norris continued to impress the team with more podiums. Also secured the one-two finish for McLaren at Monza. But the most spectacle however, the denial of his maiden win in Sochi. As for Daniel Riccardo, he was on the learning process. He never quits, as he triumphed victorious in Monza. But the later phase was pretty difficult for them. Despite the win in Monza, they were outperformed by the prancing horse of Ferrari. The maranello squad, scored 5 podiums. 4 of them were taken by Carlos Sainz. Giving the clue how competitive he could be and he was rightly placed at the right decision. As for Charles Leclerc, he was the man who showed the signs of Ferrari resurgence. Taking 2 poles in his home venue and Baku. Sadly, he was pretty misfortunate on those occasions. He suffered driveshaft problem in his home town and lost the Silverstone race win prior to his grip depletion took him off track at Copse.
Sergio Perez unlike Alex Albon, Pierre Gasly, and Daniil Kvyat scored his win as the recent secondary driver for Red Bull. Marking his second win in his career. A great force to be reckoned with, he was able to fend off Hamilton in a style in Turkey and therefore his colossal assistance in the championship finale. Sergio will bound to seek for more...
What should be in 2022?
I couldn't withstand the allowance for teams to communicate the race director. This allowance should be removed for sure. Why? The race directors under the supervision of FIA should keep their neutrality judgement during race incidents and post race investigations. Meaning there should be no interferences from the teams whatsoever leading to decisions based on one sided favor persuasions. During the 2021 season i would say highly intelligent and professional men on teams became nothing more than little children fighting over toys. Started from Catalunya then the turn up in Silverstone and Interlagos, also the Raikkonen vs Alonso battle in Austin until the championship decider race that is, literally questioning the quality on Formula 1. I can say as well as the idea firing Michael Masi for good. Also the idea of venues inclusion like Portimao and Losail whose venues are part of the other motorsports is completely an idiotic idea. Knowing that two and four wheels aren't comparable in terms of race entertainment for the fans. Not to mention, the width of the current F1 cars.
In past years of the hybrid era, the rules seemed much stricter especially regarding penalties given for violations in any kind. To be honest, the rear wing technical infringement done by Mercedes in Sao Paulo should have them EXCLUDED from the championship as they violated the required disciplines of the season's car design and not the team's special invention they made to the car. Many special inventions for the cars in the past were later outlawed but most of them didn't breach any required parameters in car design. Simply, their dual axis steering system (DAS). However the infringement on Sao Paulo didn't risk them to get any serious than grid penalty.
Another thing is about the stop/go penalty. I didn't really have much reference of how this was in the past but i believe that the stop/go penalty on those times weren't served alongside the pit stop. Meanwhile in recent cases (although not many) that i see, the stop/go is served along their planned pit stop. It should be less forgiving. Again, nothing against Hamilton's win in Silverstone.
And closer, unpredictable racing? If they promised this during the plan of next gen car regulations, i think it would be even more worse than the 2005 US GP if somehow this doesn't happen. Also please, remove DRS for good. That leads to a good period of track battle and old school overtakes with much more quality. Additionally there is no point racing in Monaco anymore. I assume the idea of crowning someone the king of Monaco is completely pointless, as most drivers who get pole win the race and consider battle others on track, drivers instead prefer to think about the surrounding barries. With the number of laps too many, it becomes one of the most boring race weekend ever. It is the country of historical motorsport culture seen more in rallying than F1.
Overall, that season was a proper title battle in 5 years among the history of the hybrid V6 turbo era.
