Lewis Hamilton missed his opportunity to overtake Michael Schumacher as Formula One's most successful ever driver after Max Verstappen won the 2021 world title in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.


Verstappen snatches F1 title in thrilling finale in Abu Dhabi
In a dramatic finish to the final race of the season, Red Bull's Verstappen overtook the Mercedes driver on the last lap to claim victory at the Yas Marina Circuit and secure the first world championship of his career.


Hamilton and Verstappen had both gone into the Abu Dhabi GP on 369.5 points, the first time the F1 world championship contenders had been level heading into the final round since Emerson Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni in 1974.


Hamilton, 36, remains tied with Schumacher on seven F1 Drivers' Championships, having drawn level with the German in 2020.

Schumacher, who spent an illustrious 18 seasons in F1 before retiring for a second time in 2012, won two world titles with Benetton in 1994 and 1995, before joining Ferrari and adding five straight championships between 2000 and 2004.


Michael Schumacher won five of his seven F1 world titles with Ferrari. REUTERS

His 2003 triumph saw him surpass Argentine Juan Manuel Fangio's long-standing record of five Drivers' Championships, won in 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1957.

Hamilton secured his maiden F1 title with McLaren in 2008, before switching to Mercedes in 2013 and winning the drivers' crown in six out of seven seasons between 2014 and 2020.

The F1 Drivers' Championship's multiple winners
Driver World titles Years won
Michael Schumacher (GER) 7 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 7 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
Juan Manuel Fangio (ARG) 5 1951, 1954, 1955, 1956, 1957
Alain Prost (FRA) 4 1985, 1986, 1989, 1993
Sebastian Vettel (GER) 4 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
Jack Brabham (AUS) 3 1959, 1960, 1966
Jackie Stewart (GBR) 3 1969, 1971, 1973
Nikki Lauda (AUT) 3 1975, 1977, 1984
Nelson Piquet (BRA) 3 1981, 1983, 1987
Ayrton Senna (BRA) 3 1988, 1990, 1991
Alberto Ascari (ITA) 2 1952, 1953
Graham Hill (GBR) 2 1962, 1968
Jim Clark (GBR) 2 1963, 1965
Emerson Fittipaldi (BRA) 2 1972, 1974
Mika Häkkinen (FIN) 2 1998, 1999
Fernando Alonso (ESP) 2 2005, 2006


https://www.google.com/amp/s/en.as.com/en/2021/12/12/other_sports/1639314256_388054.amp.html

Even though I wanted Hamilton to win and break the record, I must say a big congrat to Max Verstappen.

The guy is too good

DubaiLandLord1:
Even though I wanted Hamilton to win and break the record, I must say a big congrat to Max Verstappen.

The guy is too good

Exactly. Max is so aggressive and that's quite challenging. I wish Hamilton success next time. He's still very much in form so he can still break his predecessors' record someday. First black to have gone so high, not easy meen!

It was reali mind blowing .. it only tells us that wen we have been programmed to Suceed.. everything just falls in place to make it happen.. it's not by our power.. but by God who showeth Mercy and Favour.. Vasteppen Congrats..

DubaiLandLord1:
Even though I wanted Hamilton to win and break the record, I must say a big congrat to Max Verstappen.

The guy is too good

.

Did you actually watch the race?

"omo why my guy...i love wacthing lewis drive..we move bro..there is chance 4 another shot..never give'up..!!!

Laggafin:
It was reali mind blowing .. it only tells us that wen we have been programmed to Suceed.. everything just falls in place to make it happen.. it's not by our power.. but by God who showeth Mercy and Favour.. Vasteppen Congrats..

You watch am?Mind blowing indeed.

Joysticks:
You watch am?Mind blowing indeed.

Yes I did

Best race ever