2021 Formula 1 season review: Mercedes - How they won the constructors' title and why they lost drivers' title?
BRACKLEY – 2021 has been another rollercoaster season for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, as the Silver Arrows won their eight consecutive world titles, however, their main driver Sir Lewis Hamilton failed to clinch his eighth world title after being defeated by Red Bull's Max Verstappen in the season finale's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit.
Prior to the start of the season, team principal Toto Wolff stated that the main goals for 2021 season is to achieve what they achieve in last four seasons: winning both drivers and constructors titles in hands of Hamilton himself.
For 2021, Mercedes shared most engine allocations with Red Bull and Ferrari. Mercedes started strong in the first half of the season with four wins by Hamilton and 10 other podiums from the British driver and his Finn teammate Valtteri Bottas. However, Verstappen's dominance at the early stages of the second half of the season forced Mercedes to change into more powerful and competitive engine units for their drivers themselves.
Bottas only won the Turkish GP race and Brazilian GP's sprint race, but due to lack of consistency, the Finn would left Silver Arrows at the end of 2021. Hamilton managed to tie Verstappen after a dramatic Saudi Arabian GP race. However, in Abu Dhabi, the safety car from Nicholas Latifi's crash at the final five laps didn't help Hamilton to win the title as Verstappen's Red Bull overtook Hamilton on the final lap.
For 2022, Hamilton will continue to fight for his eighth world title, staying with Mercedes with his new teammate, fellow countryman George Russell. Can Hamilton win his eighth title, and will Mercedes clinch their ninth title, and will it both happen in 2022?
