Alonso vs Hamilton
A season of intense rivalry and a controversial finale.
The 2021 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 72nd running of the Formula One World Championship, contested over twenty-two Grands Prix. Max Verstappen won the Drivers' Championship, while Mercedes retained the Constructors' Championship for the eighth consecutive season.
Quick Facts
- Hamilton affiliation
- Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (2013-Present)
- Alonso affiliation
- Renault
- McLaren
- Ferrari
- Alpine
- Aston Martin
- Hamilton world championships
- 7
- Alonso world championships
- 2
- Status
- Both Active Drivers
Lore & Background
The season featured a close year-long battle between Verstappen and Hamilton, with the two drivers exchanging the championship lead multiple times and being involved in major collisions at the British and Italian Grands Prix. Both drivers entered the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix tied on points, which ended with a controversial finish after a late safety car restart on the final lap. Mercedes protested the results but later decided not to appeal after their protest was denied.
Reader's Guide
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes finished runner-up in the Drivers' Championship.
Did You Know?
- Honda became the second engine supplier in the turbo-hybrid era to power a championship-winning car, after Mercedes.
- This was the first season since 2008 where the champion driver was not from the team that took the constructors' title.
- The season was the final season in the sport for 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen.
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