Charles Leclerc feels outcome of title fight was “best F1 could have hoped for”. Charles on Verstappen-Hamilton season finale.

Scuderia Ferrari Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc feels that the battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was “the best Formula 1 could have hoped for” regarding the outcome of the world title.

The world championship race went to the last lap of the year, as the Red Bull driver was able to take advantage of a safety car deployment to overtake his rival Lewis Hamilton and score his first Formula 1 world championship at the Yas Marina circuit. After the arrival of a safety car with just five laps until the end of the race, the FIA initially informed that lapped cars would not be allowed to overtake after Nicholas Latifi’s car had been cleared from the track, due to a collision with the barriers.

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Race director Michael Masi eventually changed the call and gave permission to the five lapped cars between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pass the safety car, leaving the Dutchman right behind the Mercedes driver and on fresher and faster tyres. Max Verstappen therefore had no problems in getting past Lewis Hamilton to take the chequered flag, and speaking to Sky Sports at the end of the race, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc said he feels the outcome had been good for Formula 1.

“To have the last race, on the last lap, is unbelievable. But I think it’s the best that F1 could ask for. It’s great to see that and congratulations to Max, he’s been incredible.” – he said.

Charles Leclerc finished the race in P10 and dropped to P7 in the final Formula 1 Driver Standings, as the Maranello team will look to next season in an effort to be competitive with Mercedes and Red Bull.