The stage is set for another heart-stopping climax to the Formula 1 season. As Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, and Oscar Piastri line up in the top three on the grid for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the championship hangs in the balance. This high-pressure scenario is nothing new for F1, which has a rich history of final-race showdowns that have decided the destiny of the world title.
The Rollercoaster of Emotions: 2007 & 2008 in Brazil
The 2007 season finale in Brazil delivered a stunning twist. Rookie Lewis Hamilton arrived leading the standings, poised to become champion. However, a critical gearbox issue sent him tumbling down the order, opening the door for Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen. The Finn seized his chance, winning the race and, against the odds, snatching the championship by a solitary point from both Hamilton and Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton's redemption came just one year later, again at Interlagos. In a rain-affected race, Ferrari's Felipe Massa crossed the line to win, with his team briefly celebrating the title. Yet, on the very last corner of the final lap, Hamilton executed a crucial pass on Timo Glock's struggling Toyota to claim fifth place. That single position earned him the 2008 World Championship by one point, in one of the most dramatic moments in sporting history.
The Rise of a Dominant Force: Vettel's Title Triumphs
The 2010 finale in Abu Dhabi saw Sebastian Vettel begin as a rank outsider, with Fernando Alonso the heavy favourite. A strategic misstep by Ferrari, leaving Alonso stuck in traffic, proved catastrophic. Vettel, starting from pole, dominated the race to claim an unlikely first world title, heralding the start of his era of dominance.
Two years later in Brazil, Vettel's bid for a third consecutive crown seemed over almost immediately after a first-lap collision dropped his Red Bull to the back of the field. What followed was a masterful recovery drive through the pack. His eventual seventh-place finish was just enough to deny Fernando Alonso once more and secure a remarkable third championship.
Mercedes Rivalry and Modern Controversy
The intense Mercedes rivalry between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg produced two tense finales. In 2014, a controversial rule awarding double points for the last race was in effect in Abu Dhabi. Hamilton made a decisive move on his teammate at the start and controlled the race to secure his second championship.
In 2016, Rosberg held the points advantage heading to the finale. Hamilton won the race but attempted to back Rosberg into pursuing cars. Rosberg held his nerve to finish second, clinching his sole world title before announcing his immediate retirement from the sport.
The most recent decider, in 2021, remains one of the most controversial. Hamilton and Verstappen arrived at the Yas Marina Circuit level on points. A late Safety Car period and a contentious decision by the Race Director allowed Verstappen, on fresh tyres, to pass Hamilton on the final lap and seize his first world championship in a winner-takes-all climax.
This legacy of last-race drama ensures that all eyes will be on Abu Dhabi, where the next unforgettable chapter in Formula 1 championship history is waiting to be written.
