Formula 1: 5 things at stake in the 2021 season finale

1. The title showdown: Lewis Hamilton vs. Max Verstappen

For the first time since 1974, two drivers fighting for the world championship go into the final race of the season level on points.

Emerson Fittipaldi and Clay Regazzoni arrived at Watkins Glen International tied on points going into the season finale 47 years ago. The young gun Fittipaldi, aged 27, emerged victorious over Regazzoni, aged 34, to take home his first title.

The 2021 season’s biggest highlight is the tightly contested title race between Red Bull hero Max Verstappen and reigning champion Lewis Hamilton. At this point, the makers of Netflix’s Drive to Survive may be salivating with the sheer drama and competition that has taken place between the two rivals this year.

Ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, momentum has swung Hamilton’s way, as he has neutralized the 19-point advantage that Verstappen had before the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Having won three races in a row, the man from Stevenage looks to be in his best element of the season, and his sharpness couldn’t have come at a better time, just before the culminating stages of the year.

Verstappen’s lead might have been trimmed to zero points, but he has not gifted points to Hamilton. He has fought hard and emerged second best in the battle in each of the last three races, but this will be his chance to stop Hamilton from defending the title and winning a record eighth.