Exactly a year ago on this day, Max Verstappen carved his name in the history books as he won his maiden title in F1. Despite the situation being messy, the Dutch Lion stood on top of the podium as he was announced as the 2021 world champion. It was an unbelievable achievement for Max and Red Bull who enjoyed a fantastic season together.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
Both Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton went into the race with equal points. The equation was fairly simple, beat the other driver and win the championship. Verstappen pulled out a stellar qualifying lap to grab the pole position for Sunday’s race ahead of Lewis. The Red Bull driver was almost there.
However, he wouldn’t have expected the 7-time title winner to take it easy against him. The Mercedes driver overtook him and enjoyed the lead for much of the race. It seemed impossible for Hamilton to lose the championship from where he was. However, Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out a Safety Car and everything changed.
Verstappen, who had nothing to lose, pitted for a brand-new set of tires while Hamilton stayed out. Red Bull’s gamble paid off. Michael Masi, the race director asked the SC to come in with a lap to go in a call that would forever change the sport.
READ MORE: Max Verstappen Gets Roasted for Major Fashion Faux Pas: “Why Does He Look Like a Minion?”
Toto Wolff could not believe what he had just witnessed. Max went past the Mercedes driver in the final lap to win the Abu Dhabi GP and his first championship.
Verstappen fans react to the anniversary of Max winning the title on Twitter
Max Verstappen fans took to Twitter to celebrate and reminisce about the Dutch Lion winning the trophy a year ago. Fans could hardly believe it was a year already since Verstappen beat Hamilton to the title.
ONE. YEAR. AGO.
1 year later and this still sounds like music to my ears
one year. oh my god.
Subsequently, some fans also quoted the comments from the final lap of the race.
“Mercedes, not happy. Red Bull will be delighted. They have shared a brilliant championship battle, but the championship can only be won by one. And it’s going DUTCH in 2021! Max Verstappen, for the first time ever is CHAMPION OF THE WORLD!” 12/12/2021 x.com/RedBullPU1/sta…
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Abu Dhabi, 2021. 12.12.21', A day that made history 🏆🧡
Meanwhile, some of them were there for the memes.
Max fans cooking up the most triggering tweet to post tomorrow for the 1 year anniversary of Abu Dhabi 2021
Moreover, other fans shared the delight of Max becoming the champion.
One year ago, Max became world champion in Abu Dhabi It went Dutch in 2021 🦁🦁🇳🇱🇳🇱
Additionally, some fans just enjoyed the entertaining and frantic end to the 2021 F1 season.
Not some Max fans that I follow bringing up tweets from last year about Max winning in Abu Dhabi 😭
The only miracle that happened last season was Max not wrapping up the title 2 races before Abu dhabi was justice and that’s the only feeling I have about it
While things have gone south for Lewis since the final lap of the Abu Dhabi 2021 GP, Max Verstappen grabbed his second title in succession this year.
WATCH THIS STORY: Max Verstappen Wittily Responds to Backlash for 2021 Championship Win
Can Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes fight back this season or will Red Bull prove too good for them again?