Abu Dhabi 2021 Controversy: The Forgotten Moment That Sparked…. read more 👇 full details in the comments section
The dramatic finale of the 2021 Formula 1 season at the remains one of the most controversial events in the sport’s history. While most fans remember the final-lap showdown between and , some insiders believe another major incident earlier in the race has been largely overlooked.
That race decided the 2021 world championship in dramatic fashion. Hamilton appeared set to secure a historic eighth Formula 1 title after leading most of the grand prix comfortably. However, everything changed when crashed late in the race, forcing a safety car deployment.
At that moment, Verstappen and his team took a gamble by pitting for fresh tyres. Hamilton, driving for , stayed out on worn tyres to maintain track position. Initially, it looked like Hamilton would still comfortably hold on for victory because several lapped cars separated him from Verstappen during the safety car period.
The controversy erupted when race director allowed only certain lapped cars to overtake and unlap themselves before restarting the race. The decision placed Verstappen directly behind Hamilton for a one-lap sprint to the finish. On fresher tyres, Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap and secured both the race win and his first world championship.
Although this ending became the centre of global debate, Formula 1 commentator and insider believes the controversy actually began much earlier in the race.
Speaking on the “Up to Speed” podcast, Buxton pointed to the opening lap battle between Hamilton and Verstappen. Hamilton had taken the lead at the start, but Verstappen attempted to regain the position at Turn 9. During the fight, Hamilton cut across the chicane and remained ahead instead of giving the place back.
According to Buxton, race officials failed to follow previous precedents. He argued that Hamilton should have been instructed to return the lead to Verstappen because he gained an advantage by leaving the track. Instead, Hamilton was allowed to continue in front and quickly built a gap.
Buxton suggested that this decision had a major impact on how the race unfolded. If Verstappen had been given the lead back at that stage, the strategies and pace of both drivers might have changed completely, potentially producing a very different outcome before the late safety car drama even occurred.
He explained that many fans focus only on the final laps while ignoring the earlier decisions made by race control. In his opinion, inconsistencies throughout the race contributed to the overall controversy surrounding the event. Buxton even described the entire grand prix as a “scandal” because, from his perspective, the rules were not consistently applied from start to finish.
The Abu Dhabi finale also marked a turning point in the rivalry between Verstappen and Hamilton. Since that race, Verstappen has dominated Formula 1, winning multiple world championships and establishing himself as the sport’s leading driver. The Dutchman has collected more than 50 grand prix victories since the 2021 season finale and has consistently finished ahead of Hamilton in the championship standings.
Hamilton, meanwhile, struggled to match Verstappen’s success in the following years. Despite occasional victories, the seven-time world champion was unable to regularly challenge for titles as Red Bull became the dominant force in Formula 1.
However, the 2026 season has shown signs of change. Hamilton and have started the campaign strongly, while Red Bull have encountered difficulties adapting to the latest regulations. Hamilton has already achieved a podium finish and currently sits ahead of Verstappen in the drivers’ standings.
Meanwhile, Verstappen has endured a challenging start to the season, with his best grand prix result so far being fifth place. The shift in competitiveness has added a fresh chapter to one of Formula 1’s greatest rivalries, but debates over Abu Dhabi 2021 continue to divide fans and experts alike.
Even years later, the events of that unforgettable night remain a sensitive topic across the Formula 1 world, with many still questioning whether the championship was decided fairly from the very first lap to the very last.