Emerson Fittipaldi Jr., son of the legendary two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, revealed that the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix shifted his loyalty in the sport from Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen. The dramatic race, held at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, marked a decisive moment that shaped the perspectives of many fans, including the young Brazilian driver.
Prior to the event, Fittipaldi Jr. was an avid supporter of Lewis Hamilton. However, as the 2021 championship reached its final lap, the intense battle between the British driver and Verstappen ultimately persuaded him to change his preference in Formula 1. This turning point highlights the lasting impact of the controversial race on followers of the sport.
The Season Finale: A Clash for the Championship
At the start of the final race of the 2021 Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes were locked in a tight points race, each boasting 369.5 points overall. The grand prix at Abu Dhabi was expected to determine who would claim the coveted World Championship title for the year.
Hamilton was in a position to secure his eighth World Drivers’ title, a record-breaking achievement that would surpass Michael Schumacher’s previous milestone. On the other hand, Verstappen, who had demonstrated remarkable skill throughout the year, was aiming to claim his first championship and cement his status as one of the sport’s top talents.
Key Moments That Shaped the Race Outcome
The decisive moment came on lap 53 of 58 when Nicholas Latifi, the Williams driver, crashed and triggered a safety car period. Hamilton chose to stay on the track, maintaining his lead, while Verstappen pitted to change tires. This strategic decision would prove critical as the race progressed.
Race director Michael Masi made a controversial choice to shorten the usual safety car protocol. Instead of ending the race under the safety car, Masi allowed the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to un-lap themselves, creating a final racing lap to determine the champion under green flag conditions.
With fresher tires and the restart, Verstappen overtook Hamilton to win the race and secure the title, a moment that sparked widespread debate among fans and experts about the legitimacy of the outcome and the fairness of the race director’s decisions.
Emerson Fittipaldi Jr.’s Perspective on the Title Battle
In an interview with the Brazilian edition of Motorsport.com, the 18-year-old driver currently competing in Eurocup-3 described how the Abu Dhabi race influenced his views on the two title contenders.
He admitted that while he had admired Hamilton during the British driver’s dominant years at Mercedes, the 2021 season’s highly competitive battle between Verstappen and Hamilton was compelling to watch.
“I’ve liked Max from the start, but he was never in the run for the championship,”
Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. said.
He added,
“And in Abu Dhabi, I was hoping Max would win. That was the moment my preference changed.”
—Emerson Fittipaldi Jr., Driver
This shift reflected the excitement and renewed interest many fans experienced after a long period of Mercedes supremacy in the sport.
The Broader Impact on Formula 1 Fans and the Sport
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix did more than determine the year’s champion; it transformed fan allegiances, sparked intense discussions, and punctuated a pivotal moment in modern Formula 1 history. The clash between two highly talented drivers in such a dramatic and contentious setting left a lasting impression.
For Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. and others, Verstappen’s victory symbolized a fresh chapter in Formula 1, challenging the dominance of Mercedes and inspiring hope for a more open and unpredictable championship battle in future seasons.
As Fittipaldi prepares to advance to Formula 2 in 2026, his evolving outlook on the sport underscores how influential key races can be in shaping the next generation of drivers and fans alike.
