The controversial conclusion to the 2021 Formula 1 season should not detract from the close championship fight the series enjoyed, according to Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
For the first time in nine years, two drivers from rival teams arrived at the final race with a chance to win the title. The pair went into the season finale tied on points which has only previously happened once in F1 history, in 1974.
Mercedes and their drivers had swept both titles in the seven years preceding last season. Lewis Hamilton took six drivers’ titles during that time.
However he faced stiff competition from Max Verstappen throughout 2021. The Red Bull driver eventually prevailed in a title fight which went down to the final lap.
“I think sport is all about competition and when you’ve got serial winners it becomes less attractive,” Horner told WION. “So I think the fact that there was a big rivalry between the teams, between the two drivers, every grand prix there was very little…