The only previous case was in 1974, where Emerson Fittipaldi’s fourth-place finish was enough to take the title over Clay Regazzoni at the United States Grand Prix in a race that resulted from the fatal accident of Austrian driver Helmuth Koenig.
F1 is no stranger to dramatic finals, although Mercedes’ unparalleled dominance in recent years has canceled the thrilling performances fans have been loving. The championship fight has gone to the last race only once in the last six seasons, and it even had to be decided which of Mercedes’ two drivers would take the title in 2016.
But this season may be remembered as one of the most exciting in history. The face-off in Abu Dhabi this weekend will bring the curtain down on one of the most entertaining rivalries in the sport this year.
Pretender Verstappen vs veteran champion Hamilton; Red Bull vs Mercedes; Team Principal Toto Wolff vs Christian Horner – An array of dynamics have outlined a title scrap that sees fights intense both on and off the track from the start.
tale of the tape
The rivalry between the two drivers has been bubbling up at various points throughout the season.
The Red Bull driver tweeted that Hamilton’s celebration was “outrageous and un-sporting”, with Horner fanning the flames by labeling the Brit’s driving “completely out of order”.
If the heat at Monza was higher than last week’s inaugural race in Saudi Arabia, it would have reached the level of hell.
Hamilton accused his opponent of “break-testing” – a charge Verstappen dismissed – and told reporters the 24-year-old was “definitely over the limit”. Tension was evident as the pair took the podium for post-race trophy presentations, with barely an acknowledgment passed between them.
It is in this vivid context that the Abu Dhabi showdown looms, and with it, concerns that a collision could lead to the final’s most tantalizing decision. Leading Hamilton to eight from nine race victories, Verstappen will theoretically take his first championship this weekend knowing that should neither driver finish.
schumacher’s shadow
This season has precedents not only in events but in history as well – both involving Michael Schumacher, a legendary racer who is often compared to Dutchman Verstappen as a result of his aggressive driving style.
In 1994, championship leaders Schumacher and Damon Hill separated by one point in the final race in Australia. On lap 36, Schumacher hit a wall and, upon re-entering the track, collided with the overtaking hill, causing the two to eventually retire from the race.
The collision was considered a racing incident by the stewards and Schumacher won his first of seven world titles, but three years later, another collision in his final race saw a different result.
Leading Williams’ driver Jacques Villeneuve a point before the finish in Spain, Schumacher was deliberately turned into the overtaking Canadian, which forced the German out of the race. Villeneuve won the title with third place, and Schumacher was stripped of his points for the later season.
Masi reminded drivers of potential penalties for “any breach of the principles of fairness in competition, behaving in a non-player manner or attempting to influence the outcome of a competition in a manner that is contrary to sporting ethics.”
‘To finish first, you have to finish’
Both sides have clearly expressed their desire to avoid such a scenario, with Horner insisting yesterday that “Max wants to win this championship on the track,” reiterating that his driver crashes in pursuit of his first championship. Will not resort to strategy.
“He’s a tough racer, but a fair racer, and I don’t expect this weekend to be any different,” Horner told the Times of London.
“No one wants to win this championship in a gravel trap or in a stewards’ inquiry. To finish first, you have to finish – that’s been our mantra this whole season.”
Verstappen echoed his team principal’s comments at a pre-race press conference, telling reporters that drivers “don’t think about these things.”
“Try to do the best you can and win as a team. I try to be best prepared, and I’m trying to win this weekend.”
Hamilton followed suit. “I can’t control these things around me, just my preparation and how I conduct myself,” he said.
On the subject of points deductible, Britt admitted that he saw any possible penalty as “fair”, but reiterated his desire to win without such interference.
“It has happened in the past,” Hamilton said. “I think it’s fair. Hopefully, it doesn’t come to that.
“I’m here to do my job and I don’t want the steward to see me.
Verstappen said: “I know what’s in the game code, no one needs to be reminded of that.”
Nor will any sports lover need to be reminded of where to be this Sunday. Whether there is a collision or not, the drama is fixed.
,