Max Verstappen Confesses He’d Get a ‘Heart Attack’ over Reliving Duel Against Lewis Hamilton at 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Max Verstappen funnily pointed out that he would now get a heart attack if he were to relive the controversial night of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP.

Max Verstappen Confesses He’d Get a ‘Heart Attack’ over Reliving Duel Against Lewis Hamilton at 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, 2021 Abu Dhabi GP (Via IMAGO), Max Verstappen (in circle, via Red Bull)

Max Verstappen won his maiden drivers’ title in the 2021 season against Lewis Hamilton under extremely controversial circumstances. The Dutchman was very close to losing it all if it weren’t for the late race safety car and race restart drama. Regardless, the chills were real in the moment as Verstappen hailed victorious and achieved his life goal that day. However, the now four-time champion reckons that if he were put in the same spot now, he wouldn’t be able to handle the moment so easily.

Max Verstappen‘s victory at the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP and subsequently the drivers’ title created one of the biggest sporting controversies in the history of Formula 1. The Dutchman faced a lot of flak for winning the race that day when he wasn’t even at fault. Moreover, the then-race director, Michael Masi, was also removed from his role due to the controversies of that night. Now, the 27-year-old talks about reliving that night and what he feels about it.

Despite winning his highly coveted first title that night, Max Verstappen insists that he wouldn’t want to live that Sunday night again. The Dutchman reckoned that he would rather not relive it as he feared for his well-being if he had that much of an adrenaline rush again. The four-time champion quips that he would have a heart attack if he went through that entire night again.

I don’t want to experience that Sunday again, I’d rather not, because I would fear a heart attack for myself.

Max Versatppen told Formule 1 Magazine

Verstappen even recalled the entire 2021 season and how enticing it was between him and Lewis Hamilton. The Dutchman pointed out that the whole season was very intense, with no guarantee over who’d emerge victorious. Even Hamilton was on the trajectory to create history if he won, as he would win his record-breaking eighth drivers’ title in F1. The 27-year-old also recalled how nail-biting the last lap showdown was that year.

The whole season was very intense with a showdown in the last lap of the last race.

Max Verstappen added

Max Verstappen labels 2021 season as ‘beautiful and special’

Both Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton hadn’t commented much on the controversial night of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Regardless of the problems, neither driver held any grudges against the other and always kept a sense of sportsmanship alive. Now, even Verstappen recalls the entire season and how special it was due to the cut-throat battle between Red Bull and Mercedes.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via Getty)
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen (via Getty)

Max Verstappen initially joked that the entire season was so dramatic that it could have ended in a cinema, which he didn’t want. Still, Verstappen appreciated just how intense the 2021 season was and that both teams went to the extreme limit. The reigning world champion explained that it was great for the sport as it pulled in great numbers. Finally, the Dutchman concluded by labeling the year as beautiful and special, which might not be recreated in his life again.

Well, I don’t need to see myself in the cinema later! But that whole season was very intense, with two teams that went to the limit. And that is something you have to admire, and that is good for the sport. Two teams that made so few mistakes for a whole season, that was really beautiful and special.

Max Verstappen noted

Since the 2021 season, Verstappen has never looked back in terms of performance and has gone on to win three more drivers’ titles and many more victories. While the 27-year-old has been on the back foot in leading the championship this year, but is still optimistic about his chances. Winning a fifth title surely wouldn’t be as exhilarating as his first one, but it would still mean a lot to the reigning world champion.

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