Top 5 Hamilton-Verstappen moments from historic 2021 season

Formula 1 stars Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen provided fans a season for the ages with incredible finishes, crashes, and tense battles. Here are the top five moments involving the Mercedes and Red Bull rivals from a historic 2021 racing calendar.

5. Brazilian GP: Hamilton shakes off tough start

Hamilton and Verstappen came off the track during a tight clash in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Hamilton eventually passed Verstappen and ultimately won the event, recovering from a disastrous qualifying session and post-sprint engine penalty that led to a P10 start.

4. British GP: Hamilton sends Verstappen into wall

Verstappen crashed into a barrier during a first-lap showdown with Hamilton at the Silverstone Circuit. The Red Bull star later called Hamilton, who ended up winning the race, disrespectful for celebrating while the Dutchman went to the hospital.

3. Saudi Arabian GP: Hamilton wins to tie Verstappen

The seven-time world champion proved his mettle again by overcoming another incident with Verstappen. The two bumped into each other after Verstappen slowed to allow Hamilton to pass because of an earlier move. The veteran Brit ended up winning the race because of a Verstappen penalty, and the victory set up the season finale with the two drivers tied atop the individual standings.

2. Italian GP: Verstappen's car ends up on Hamilton's head

Both drivers were knocked out of the race on lap 27 after a scary collision. The pair came together while wheel to wheel through the first and second corners of the track. The cars' rear wheels collided, sending Verstappen airborne, and his car landed on top of Hamilton's. The Mercedes star blamed Verstappen for the incident.

1. Abu Dhabi GP: Verstappen takes title in controversial finish

Verstappen won his first F1 title, ending Hamilton's run of four straight championships. The Red Bull driver defeated Hamilton in a one-lap shootout to end the race after Williams' Nicholas Latifi crashed and forced a safety car to be deployed. Hamilton had a massive late lead, but the FIA controversially chose to allow some lapped cars to unlap themselves after originally deciding against that.