Max Verstappen has given the inside scoop on the title-winning overtake that saw him pass rival Lewis Hamilton at the 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Verstappen secured his maiden Formula 1 title in one of the most dramatic finishes in sporting history, after he pipped Hamilton to the championship on the very final lap of the season.
His victory came following a controversial call from race director Michael Masi, who allowed a number of lapped cars between the leading Hamilton and Verstappen to overlap a safety car.
This meant the Englishman’s once comfortable lead was all but wiped out, as the pair were left to battle out a one-lap shootout to decide the title.
And thanks to an impressive overtake it was the Dutchman who prevailed to secure his first F1 title in the most dramatic of circumstances.
Many had expected the 24-year-old to overtake his title rival on the straight of the final lap, however he instead opted to make the move on the corner before, and executed in perfectly.
Verstappen himself has given an insight of his thinking that led to his well-worked final lap tactics whilst speaking on a new documentary ‘Verstappen - Lion Unleashed’.
The Dutchman said: “He (Lewis) didn't expect me to overtake him there..
“We had less downforce that weekend so we had more top speed. So I wanted to be up front because without DRS I can defend.
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“Even if he came alongside me he could never overtake me because of the top speed advantage.
“With the grip I had I went for that corner and defended those other corners.”
Many within the sport will no doubt believe Verstappen’s victory was a lucky one, with the Dutchman a lengthy 11 seconds still off Hamilton’s pace with just five laps to go before Masi’s controversial call.
The 24-year-old however admitted that even when he found himself a long way behind his title rival, his mind was still focused on catching the Englishman, revealing he told himself that he ‘wouldn’t give up’.
The Dutchman commented: “I knew I wouldn't close an eleven-second gap in five laps, but I said to myself, 'I'm not going to give up now and drive slowly to the finish line.
“I'm going to give it my all to make it not look easy'. I wasn't really happy at that moment.”
