From what I've read they were afraid the car would stop in the last round causing a safety car, so decided to retire him. Ultimate team play!
He was soundly thrashed right up until the safety car gave him new soft rubber and removed the 10 second gap to his competitor. He did do the job perfectly once that was given to him, admittedly, but until the safety car he was nowhere.Tizz wrote: ↑12 Dec 2021, 18:33Nice ! Kept fighting till the flag dropped. I was convinced from the beginning he was quick enough but I had my doubts whether or not he would be able handle the pressure from fighting drivers like Lewis, Vettel and Alonso. Have to lift my hat... He did it today with a car that was clearly inferior to the Merc which made even more impressive. Looking forward to next season already.
He has openly said he has nothing to reflect on regarding his divebombs and illegal driving. That is the new champion who has said so.ME4ME wrote: ↑12 Dec 2021, 21:35So it's official. Congratulations to Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing Honda.
This weekend was/is a mess, but overall Verstappen deserved it this season. Actually so did Hamilton with the incredible end to the season that he had, but they can't both be champion.
Gained respect for Hamilton with his handling of everything lately.
Verstappen has imo some analysis/reflecting to do regarding divebombs and racing ethics but there'll be plenty of time for that. In the end he gets the job done and thats what counts.
I agree, Imola, and Silverstone were quite lucky for Hamilton, indeed. Hamilton is twice as lucky as Verstappen has been this season But those are inconvenient facts so let's just ignore that. Equality is not enough, we must have equity.Tvetovnato wrote: ↑12 Dec 2021, 21:32Yeah it must taste very good indeed. Not always you luck into two safety cars and have race control giving you the win is it. Won by the kind of driver who got three penalties in one race for his dangerous and illegal driving, and would have added another one if Lewis did not avoid a collision today again. What a champ!godlameroso wrote: ↑12 Dec 2021, 18:23This championship has to taste pretty good, to win the driver's crown in the second best car should leave no doubts as to the kind of driver Verstappen is, and the RBR team as a whole. It's a little bitter-sweet knowing that Honda is leaving F1 without a constructor's title, still very proud of Honda for all they've done. The car was still good enough to be in contention for the constructor's title, and it's all to play for next year. Well done to everyone!