via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship with the Netherlands flag on the podium REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship with the Netherlands flag on the podium REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed
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.
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.
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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. pic.twitter.com/KP0ygXVnKl
— meg¹ 🎅🏼 (@maxsredbull) December 12, 2022
1 year later and this still sounds like music to my ears pic.twitter.com/xi1bqCaNtG
— Sem¹ 🎄 (@Semmieeef1) December 12, 2022
one year. oh my god. pic.twitter.com/yDHvq9UBbG
— lia¹ 🇦🇷 (@mvrstppen) December 12, 2022
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 pic.twitter.com/xlDaHQXaO1
— Matt 🇺🇸 | 🎄’Tis the Merry Christmas Season🎄 (@formulamatt3316) December 12, 2022
Happy 1 Year Anniversary to Abu Dhabi, 2021.
12.12.21', A day that made history 🏆🧡 pic.twitter.com/mSXXHwFmep
— z 🦁 12.12.21' (@rbrzoe) December 11, 2022
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 pic.twitter.com/eFgCTcW8FR
— Måns🇸🇪 (@Havertzo) December 11, 2022
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
🦁🦁🇳🇱🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/49Ou0l5lHk— Ukasha 🇵🇰🇦🇪🏴 (@ukasha_10) December 12, 2022
A year ago through all the cotroversy and hate a Lion went into Abu Dhabi and came out a World Champion. Our F1 saviour
Officer Max Emillian Verstappen 🦁#AbuDhabiScandal pic.twitter.com/Z0vH5H4GVx— 🇿🇦Mo♑💜💛💙 (@mo__pinnk) December 12, 2022
Additionally, some fans just enjoyed the entertaining and frantic end to the 2021 F1 season.
Exactly one year ago on the 12th of December 2021 we witnessed the most controversial yet entertaining F1 season in recent years come to an end with the drama in Abu Dhabi were Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to win his 1st WDC pic.twitter.com/LdzkjNWnb5
— Ice_Valkyrie (@Wertox6) December 12, 2022
Not some Max fans that I follow bringing up tweets from last year about Max winning in Abu Dhabi 😭
— Jessica 🥰 (@motorfanatic93) December 12, 2022
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
— Willseh (@Willseh14) December 12, 2022
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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
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Can Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes fight back this season or will Red Bull prove too good for them again?
