While the result itself is controversial, the fact that the final race in Abu Dhabi more than delivered on the promise of being dramatic is not. Yes, there were moments that have divided the entire motorsport community. But undeniably, Max Verstappen winning the Formula 1 world championship against Lewis Hamilton in the last lap during the last race of the season was something extraordinary.
Something for a cause of jubilation for Verstappen and Red Bull, but cruel and heartbreaking for Hamilton and Mercedes in equal measure.
Despite losing the race and the title to the Dutchman, the seven-time world champion can take consolation in another victory. That being the championship off-track, on social media.
According to Zoomph, Lewis Hamilton had substantially more social media engagements than Max Verstappen. The Mercedes driver’s 145.8 million-plus engagements dwarf the 92.4 million-plus of the Red Bull driver.
Moreover, Hamilton leads the way in impressions with 1.87 billion-plus and a social value of $61.8 million-plus.
But, while Verstappen was valued significantly less at $41.2 million-plus, the 2021 world champion had an exponentially large follower growth. ‘Super Max’ saw a 51.86% growth in followers compared to Hamilton’s 12.21%.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton head into this weekend’s #AbuDhabiGP tied for the World Championship at 369.5 points, but who’s winning on social media?
Head-to-head @Max33Verstappen and @LewisHamilton both have some social wins for the #F1 season thus far. pic.twitter.com/4MaXLNtJEC
— Zoomph (@Zoomph) December 10, 2021
Pure class from Lewis Hamilton in defeat
Despite losing the title in the way he did, Hamilton once again showed why he’s the classiest driver on the grid today. In the post-race interviews, the Mercedes driver congratulated the race and championship winner and his team before reflecting on his own garage.
“First of all, congratulations to Max and his team,” Hamilton said. He added, “The team, everyone who returned to the factory, all the men and women we have there and here, we worked so hard all year in the most difficult of seasons.”
“We gave it everything. We never gave up and that’s the most important thing.”
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen before the race Pool via REUTERS/Kamran Jebreili
Goes without saying that Lewis Hamilton will undoubtedly come back stronger than ever in the next season. But despite being the most successful driver on social media this season, it appears the tide in F1 is turning.
Look no further than the over 400% increase in Verstappen’s followers compared to Hamilton. But the 36-year-old would know, just as the baton was passed to him as F1’s biggest star, he will soon have to pass it on too.
And at the moment, the most likely recipient is Max Verstappen.
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