Fernando Alonso, a two-time F1 champion believes Max Verstappen was ‘justice’ for winning the 2021 driver’s title following his poor luck throughout the remainder of the season.
Red Bull’s star driver was named champion in Abu Dhabi after an extremely controversial last race in which Lewis Hamilton seemed certain to win the final laps.
Verstappen was able to win his maiden driver’s title thanks to a late safety car and the FIA’s removal of the back markers, much to the annoyance of Mercedes.
Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton late in drama to win the world championship.
Verstappen celebrating with his team after being named world champion
Fernando Alonso (left) and Verstappen hugging shortly after finishing the Abu Dhabi race.
Alonso said that Verstappen was fully deserving of the win and 2021 title, even if it was partly due to his driving.
‘That was pure luck, we have to be honest about that,’ the 40-year-old told Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport. “On the other side, he was so unlucky this season, it’s now more balanced. This is a bit of justice.
Alonso knows what it is like to win and lose championships. In fact, he won the title in 2005 and 2006.
At Alpine, the Spaniard placed eighth at the Yas Marina Circuit’s season finale and was 10th in overall championship standings.
Alonso believes Verstappen should win because he was so unlucky in 2021
After stepping out from his Alpine, Alonso felicitates the Red Bull team and Honda team
Hamilton and Verstappen were at the top of the points standings. They entered the final race in Abu Dhabi with an overall point gap.
Hamilton looked set to win the title, until five laps into the race when Nicholas Latifi’s shunt brought out a safety car. This turned the race upside down.
Mercedes protested twice against the outcome, but it was ignored by the FIA who later ruled in favor of Verstappen as champion.