Hamilton & Verstappen 2021 Abu Dhabi GP transcript · RaceFans

The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which took place one year ago today, was made infamous by the events of the final lap.

But the 57 laps which came before it were packed with tension, drama and controversy as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen fought head-to-head over the destiny of the world championship.

The outcome of the race and, with it, the drivers’ title, was swung by then-FIA F1 race director Michael Masi’s decision to break with convention – not to mention the rulebook – by organising a last-lap restart in which only a portion of the lapped cars were allowed to rejoin the lead lap. Crucially, the only ones moved out of the way were those which separated race leader Hamilton from championship rival Verstappen.

Until then, the race had been slipping away from Verstappen, though Red Bull did everything they could to keep him in the fight. He pitted early, forcing Hamilton to respond, while team mate Sergio Perez was left out to delay the Mercedes driver.

That slashed Verstappen’s deficit to his rival, which proved crucial when the race was interrupted twice in the second half. Verstappen took a fresh set of tyres during a VSC period, and again during the fateful Safety Car deployment at the end of the race. Each time Mercedes told Hamilton they couldn’t bring him in because doing so would drop him behind his rival, who would inevitably stay out, and trying to re-pass Verstappen on track even with a tyre advantage would be fraught with peril.

That plus a u-turn by the race director which caught both teams by surprise set up one of the most controversial conclusions to a championship fight. Here’s how every lap of it played out.

Hamilton and Verstappen: 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix team radio transcript

The pair shared the front row, Verstappen on pole, but Hamilton made a better start and was immediately through into the lead.

Verstappen had chosen to start on soft tyres to Hamilton’s mediums, however, and was within range as they approached turn six. The Red Bull driver dived for the inside, edging Hamilton wide at the exit, but staying within the track’s bounds himself.

Hamilton cut the chicane and rejoined well ahead of Verstappen. He backed off briefly, allowing the Red Bull driver to regain some ground, but did not hand the lead to his rival.

The race director, Masi, informed Red Bull he was happy Hamilton had restored the advantage he had gained by leaving the track, and they raced on.