Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso says Max Verstappen’s triumph was ‘JUSTICE’

Two-time F1 world champion Fernando Alonso says Max Verstappen’s triumph was ‘JUSTICE’ after being so unlucky in 2021… but admits Abi Dhabi victory was ‘pure luck’ after late safety car drama and controversial FIA decision

  • Fernando Alonso believes Max Verstappen got ‘justice’ by winning the F1 title
  • The Alpine driver says he deserved it after his bad luck in the rest of the season
  • Alonso did admit that it was ‘pure luck’ after late drama at the Abu Dhabi GP
  • A late safety car and a huge FIA decision allowed Verstappen to beat Hamilton 
  • Follow LIVE for all the latest updates as Mercedes’ battle continues 


Two-time F1 champion Fernando Alonso believes Max Verstappen received ‘justice’ by winning the 2021 drivers’ title after his bad luck across the rest of the season.

The Red Bull star was crowned champion in Abu Dhabi on Sunday after a hugely controversial final race, in which Lewis Hamilton looked destined to win until the final few laps of the race.

A late safety car, coupled with the FIA’s decision to remove the back markers from the equation, allowed Verstappen to secure his maiden drivers’ title, much to the anger of Mercedes.

Max Verstappen won the world championship after beating Lewis Hamilton in late drama

Verstappen celebrates with his team in the pit-lane after being crowned world champion

Verstappen celebrates with his team in the pit-lane after being crowned world champion

Fernando Alonso (left) hugs Verstappen shortly after the pair finished the race in Abu Dhabi

Fernando Alonso (left) hugs Verstappen shortly after the pair finished the race in Abu Dhabi

According to Alpine star Alonso, though, Verstappen fully deserved the victory and the 2021 title – even if it wasn’t completely down to his own driving.

‘That was pure luck, we have to be honest about that,’ the 40-year-old told Dutch TV station Ziggo Sport. ‘On the other hand, he was unlucky so often this season, now it’s more balanced. So it’s a little bit of justice.’

Alonso himself is well aware of what it feels like to win – and lose – championships, having himself lifted the crown in both 2005 and 2006.

Now at Alpine, the Spaniard finished eighth in the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit, and 10th overall in the championship.  

Alonso says Verstappen deserved to triumph because he has been so unlucky across 2021

Alonso says Verstappen deserved to triumph because he has been so unlucky across 2021

Alonso congratulates the Red Bull and Honda team after stepping out of his Alpine on Sunday

Alonso congratulates the Red Bull and Honda team after stepping out of his Alpine on Sunday

At the top end of the standings, Verstappen and Hamilton went into the last race of the season completely level on points, with a winner-takes-all scenario ahead of them in Abu Dhabi.

It looked as though Hamilton was going to secure the title until the final five laps, when a Nicholas Latifi shunt brought out the safety car and turned the race on its head.

Mercedes twice protested the result but it fell on deaf ears and the FIA later ruled that the result would stand, crowning Verstappen the champion.