In the eighth year of Formula 1’s V6 hybrid turbo regulations, Mercedes’ crown finally slipped.
The team extended its run of constructors’ championship trophies, taking its eighth in a row. But for the first time since 2013 the drivers’ title was not won by either of the Mercedes racers.
That was decided in extremely controversial circumstances which the FIA spent more than two months poring over before issuing its plan of action yesterday. There will be many in Brackley, Brixworth and beyond who consider Lewis Hamilton the rightful winner of the 2021 drivers title. Not least team principal Toto Wolff, who last time he spoke to the media said FIA F1 race director Michael Masi had “robbed” his driver over the crown.
But while Mercedes’ defeat was a narrow and deeply contentious one, the team clearly also faced its toughest competition of the current era in 2021. That is unlikely to ease over the coming campaign; if anything, they may have an even tougher fight on their…