By Lizzie Price
With 24 races in a season, F1 is an action packed sport filled with some edge-of-the-seat races. Today, we will be breaking down some of the most memorable races of the last 25 seasons.
Abu Dhabi 2021
No matter which side of the Hamilton-Verstappen debate you fall on, there is one unanimous fact; Abu Dabhi 2021 is one of the most memorable races of all time. The intense championship battle was coming down to the very last race with the two contenders, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, being equal on points (down to the very 0.5.) Hamilton was on course to beak the record for most World Championship’s won whilst Verstappen was eager for his first title. The controversial safety-car decision needs no introduction and still divides fans 5 years later. No matter the outcome, the race will remain etched into F1 history for a very long time.
2024 Brazilian GP
Autódromo José Carlos Pace is known for its iconic drives; Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 Sao Paolo charge and his victory on the last corner in 2008 to seal his first championship were both strong contenders. However the most memorable Sao Paolo GP goes to 2024. Max Verstappen made a stunning recovery drive from 17th to 1st, with the race boasting two DNS’s, two DNF’s and a DSQ to boot. The podium was rounded out by the Alpine drivers of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly whom put their feu aside as they secured an elated double podium for the endstone based team, their first since 2013.
2005 Japanese GP
Kimi Räikkönen had a stellar drive, going from 17th to 1st with no safety car or restarts – a truly impressive feat that showed the skill of the Finn. There were plenty of great performances that day, but Fernando Alonso’s overtake on Michael Schumacher, around the corner at 130R was an excellent display of talent (and is the subject matter of the alleged ‘I knew he’d break, he has a wife and two kids at home’ quote.) Finishing 3rd also sealed Alonso’s world championship, ahead of Schumacher.
2011 Canadian GP
At a whopping four hours and four minutes the 2011 Canadian GP is the longest f1 race on record, and for that alone it earns a top in the most memorable races debate. It was still an action packed race that saw the race winner, McLaren’s Jensen Button, win from 7th, despite a two crashes; one with teammate Lewis Hamilton and one with Fernando Alonso – which dropped him all the way to 21st. His stellar, victory-defining drive included a crucial overtake on Redbull’s Sebastian Vettel on the last lap. Button’s victory came at the expense of his whopping six pit stops – the most ever for a race winner. The race saw 129 overtakes, then a record-breaking feat, with notable drivers like Hamilton, Alonso and Massa all
2016 Barcelona GP
Teammate rivalries are one of the most exhilarating parts of f1; Papaya Rules, Multi 21, Pitgate are all worthy contenders, but none are more infamous than the ‘Silver War’ between Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. It all reached blows most notably in the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when the two drivers collided taking them both out of the race amid a fierce title battle. The image of the two Silver Arrows crashing into the gravel remains etched in the memory of any F1 fan. The race also marked Max Verstappen’s maiden win, on his Red Bull debut nonetheless, and made him the youngest f1 race winner – a remarkable feat.
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