2021 F1 Season

The 2021 Formula One World Championship, the 72nd season of the championship, was a thrilling contest that saw Max Verstappen clinch his first World Championship, becoming the first Dutch driver to do so. Driving for Red Bull Racing-Honda, Verstappen’s victory also marked the first time a Honda-powered driver had won the championship since Ayrton Senna in 1991. The season was fiercely competitive, featuring a close battle between Verstappen and defending champion Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes. This intense rivalry was highlighted by multiple collisions and a controversial finish at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Verstappen overtook Hamilton in a late restart. Mercedes, despite losing the Drivers’ Championship, secured their eighth consecutive Constructors’ Championship.

The 2021 season was notable for several reasons. It was the first season since 2008 where the champion driver was not from the team that won the constructors’ title. The season also marked the final year in Formula One for 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen. Significant team changes included McLaren switching to Mercedes power units and Racing Point becoming Aston Martin. Driver movements saw Sebastian Vettel move to Aston Martin and Carlos Sainz Jr. join Ferrari. The season’s calendar was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the introduction of sprint qualifying at three Grands Prix and the debut of the Qatar and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. The season’s technical regulations were largely stable, with a focus on reducing downforce and the introduction of a budget cap aimed at ensuring financial sustainability for teams.