Max Verstappen is haunted by reliving his first title-winning memories in 2021

Formula One’s modern great Max Verstappen is still haunted by the memories of his first title-winning race in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The four-time world champion doesn't like to think of those memories of his first crown, as he feels he will have a heart attack if he does that again. 

The Dutchman ended the reign of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton in that race, and since then he has dominated the sport single-handedly. Only this year Lando Norris gave some tough fight to the Red Bull driver, but even then he showed his dominance by winning one of the toughest races in Brazil and sealing his fourth title in the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Peringatan tiga tahun - Max Verstappen meruntuhkan dominasi Lewis Hamilton di F1.

GP Abu Dhabi 2021 🔥🔥pic.twitter.com/vTVXSBmN37

— F1 Speed Indonesia (@f1speed_indo) December 12, 2024

Max arrived at the 2021 Abu Dhabi race with equal points as the British driver. The 2021 season was the peak boiling point where both drivers engaged in various battles, and it even went to their team bosses Toto wolff and Christian Horner. At the race start, Hamilton overtook Verstappen and kept the lead until the final lap. The race director, Michael Masi, took a controversial call to unlap the 5 cars between Max and Lewis and restart the race with just one lap to go.

Also read: Top 5 Performing Teams in Formula 1 2024 season: Red Bull gets humbled by Haas.

A dream come true for @Max33Verstappen as he crosses the line in Abu Dhabi 👀

And becomes F1 World Champion for the first time! 👑 🏆#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/DIF51TL6Sk

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021

Max, with his fresh soft tyres, overtook Lewis and won his first world title. But it's been four years since that happened, and the Red Bull driver is still scared of those memories. He doesn't want that to happen again because this time he feels he may get a heart attack due to the immense pressure he faced during that race.

Max is still scared of 2021

Verstappen said, “For me, reliving my first title, like that day, I think I would die of a heart attack. Because I remember people that saw me that day, especially my girlfriend Kelly; she came into my room before the race—and normally, before a race, I'm not that nervous. I mean, you are well prepared, and there might be some nervousness about wanting to do well. But she said that my hands were ice cold. So again, you really don't want to relive this kind of moment. I mean, they're amazing to look at but not to relive." 

Also Read: New Year 2025: Michael Schumacher will be a grandfather, Max Verstappen will be a father