2021 F1 Season
Max Verstappen · Red Bull · 10 wins from 22 races
Key Rule Change: Sprint qualifying introduced at 3 rounds. Budget cap first year at $145M.
Season Overview
The 2021 Formula 1 season delivered one of the most controversial and dramatic championship finales in the sport's history. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were tied on points going into the final race in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton appeared to be cruising to his record eighth World Championship when a late safety car period — and a controversial decision by race director Michael Masi to allow only lapped cars between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves — set up a final-lap shootout. Verstappen, on fresh soft tyres, overtook Hamilton on the final lap to win the race and the championship. Mercedes protested but the results stood. Masi was subsequently replaced as race director. The season featured 22 races — a record at the time — and saw Red Bull and Mercedes trade victories throughout. Verstappen won 10 races, Hamilton 8. The season also marked the introduction of the budget cap ($145M) and sprint qualifying at three rounds.
Technical Highlights
- Red Bull RB16B — Honda RBPTH001 1.6L V6 Hybrid, 1000+ HP
- Mercedes W12 — M12 EQ Performance hybrid, DAS system removed
- Budget cap introduced at $145M — first year of cost control
- Sprint qualifying at Silverstone, Monza, and Interlagos
- Pirelli introduces new 2021 tyres after Baku blowouts
- Honda's final season as Red Bull power supplier
Key Moments
Verstappen and Hamilton collide at Silverstone — Hamilton wins, Verstappen hospitalized
Verstappen wins from last at Hungarian GP — remarkable recovery
Monza collision — both title contenders out
Saudi Arabia debut — chaotic race, multiple safety cars
Abu Dhabi finale — Masi's controversial safety car decision
Verstappen wins on final lap — first Dutch World Champion
Drivers\' Standings
Constructors\' Standings
2021 Race Results
| Rd | Race | Winner |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bahrain Grand Prix | Lewis Hamilton |
| 2 | Emilia Romagna Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 3 | Portuguese Grand Prix | Lewis Hamilton |
| 4 | Spanish Grand Prix | Lewis Hamilton |
| 5 | Monaco Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 6 | Azerbaijan Grand Prix Verstappen tyre blowout while leading | Sergio Pérez |
| 7 | French Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 8 | Styrian Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 9 | Austrian Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 10 | British Grand Prix Hamilton and Verstappen collide — Verstappen hospitalized | Lewis Hamilton |
| 11 | Hungarian Grand Prix Verstappen wins from last — wait, Ocon wins first career victory | Esteban Ocon |
| 12 | Belgian Grand Prix Half points awarded due to rain — controversial | Max Verstappen |
| 13 | Dutch Grand Prix Dutch GP returns after 36 years — orange army | Max Verstappen |
| 14 | Italian Grand Prix Verstappen and Hamilton collide — both out | Daniel Ricciardo |
| 15 | Russian Grand Prix | Lewis Hamilton |
| 16 | Turkish Grand Prix | Valtteri Bottas |
| 17 | United States Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 18 | Mexico City Grand Prix | Max Verstappen |
| 19 | São Paulo Grand Prix Hamilton wins from last after penalty — incredible drive | Lewis Hamilton |
| 20 | Qatar Grand Prix | Lewis Hamilton |
| 21 | Saudi Arabian Grand Prix Debut of Jeddah — chaotic race | Lewis Hamilton |
| 22 | Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Controversial safety car — Verstappen wins title on final lap | Max Verstappen |