Max Verstappen Reflects on 2021 Abu Dhabi Showdown, Says He Would ‘Fear a Heart Attack’ in S… read more
Max Verstappen, the reigning Formula 1 world champion, has opened up about the heart-stopping climax to his maiden title-winning season in 2021. In a candid conversation with Formule 1 magazine, the Dutch driver admitted that reliving the dramatic showdown with Lewis Hamilton in Abu Dhabi would be enough to give him a heart attack — a testament to just how emotionally charged and physically intense that day was.
The 2021 Formula 1 season finale at Yas Marina Circuit will go down as one of the most controversial and iconic races in the sport’s history. Verstappen and Hamilton, representing Red Bull Racing and Mercedes-AMG Petronas respectively, arrived at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix level on points — a rare and remarkable scenario that guaranteed the winner of the race would also take the championship title. For much of the race, it appeared Hamilton was on course to secure a record-breaking eighth world championship, having led comfortably for the majority of the event.
However, a late-race incident involving Nicholas Latifi brought out a safety car that turned the contest on its head. The decision by then-race director Michael Masi to allow only some lapped cars to unlap themselves before restarting the race on the final lap gave Verstappen — who had pitted for fresh soft tyres — the opportunity to attack Hamilton, who was still running on old hard tyres. With just corners left in the season, Verstappen executed a bold overtake on the Briton, clinching his first world title in the most dramatic fashion imaginable.
Looking back, Verstappen acknowledged that while the day marked a historic high in his career, it came with immense pressure and emotional weight. “I don’t want to experience that Sunday again,” Verstappen confessed. “I’d rather not, because I would fear a heart attack for myself.” The Red Bull driver emphasized the toll the entire 2021 season took on him, saying, “The whole season was very intense with a showdown in the last lap of the last race.”
Many F1 fans and analysts regard the 2021 season as one of the greatest in the sport’s long and storied history. The battle between Red Bull and Mercedes was relentless from start to finish, with both teams pushing their cars, drivers, and strategies to the absolute limit. Verstappen himself praised the high level of competition, noting the remarkably low error count from both sides throughout the season. “Two teams that made so few mistakes for a whole season — that was really beautiful and special,” he reflected. “That is something you have to admire, and that is good for the sport.”
With the intensity and cinematic quality of the season, talks have emerged about the possibility of a film adaptation in the future. However, Verstappen playfully dismissed the idea of seeing himself on the big screen. “Well, I don’t need to see myself in the cinema later!” he quipped.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve and new rivalries form, Verstappen’s 2021 title victory remains a defining moment in recent history. It marked not only the rise of a new world champion but also showcased the unpredictability and drama that makes F1 such a captivating spectacle. While Verstappen has since gone on to dominate subsequent seasons with greater ease and fewer theatrics, the memory of Abu Dhabi 2021 lingers — a vivid reminder of just how thin the line is between victory and heartbreak in the world of elite motorsport.
For Verstappen, it was a night of triumph that he wouldn’t trade for anything, but also one he’d prefer not to endure again. “It was beautiful,” he concluded, “but once was enough.”
