Max Verstappen’s incredible performance at the 2021 Russian Grand Prix, saw him keep his championship hopes alive.
The Red Bull driver started the grand prix from the back of the grid after being given a penalty for taking a new power unit before the race.
The decision meant Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes was in a great position to reclaim and extend the lead of the 2021 championship, after dipping behind the Dutchman by four points.
Verstappen had been handed a three-place grid penalty for causing a collision with his championship rival at the Italian Grand Prix, with Red Bull choosing to take the risk with the new power unit.
Ahead of the weekend, Verstappen told The Guardian: “We have to take the penalty anyway. If we hadn’t taken it here, we would have taken it somewhere else. So we thought we’ll decide to do it here and we’ll try to make the best of it in the race.”
Max Verstappen displays overtaking masterclass at 2021 Russian Grand Prix
Mercedes had dominated the past seven years at the Russian Grand Prix heading into the 2021 race, with Hamilton taking four of those victories.
With Hamilton qualifying in fourth place behind Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz and George Russell, Red Bull were hoping Verstappen could earn some points and limit the potential championship damage.
Verstappen had not started the previous 14 grands prix of the season outside of the top three, so a back-of-the-grid start was unusual for the Dutchman.
Starting on the hardest compound tyres, Verstappen worked his way through the pack, including some impressive Turn 12 overtakes.
Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes was also out of place in P16 after being penalised himself, with Verstappen making his way past the Finn with ease.
Before pitting on Lap 26, the Dutchman was catching Hamilton, with just four seconds between the championship rivals.
However, heavy rain in the final few laps of the 2021 Russian Grand Prix saw a dramatic end to the race.
Verstappen was initially hesitant to pit when an initial light shower hit the track, but as rain intensified, he was quick to pit for wet-weather tyres with four laps remaining.
Verstappen followed Hamilton into the pits on lap 48, with some drivers, including leading Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, choosing to stay out on the track.
The track was quickly drenched by a heavy downpour, with Norris losing control of his McLaren on several occasions as he fought with his dry tyres.
The decision proved to be a huge mistake for Norris, whose decision cost him his maiden Formula 1 win, after running wide at Turn 3 and allowing Hamilton past.
The seven-time world champion breezed past the McLaren to take his first victory since the British Grand Prix, five races before and his 100th career win.
Verstappen finished the race in second place, 53.2 seconds behind Hamilton and ensured the British driver didn’t overtake him by too many points in the championship.
Following the grand prix, Verstappen said he “definitely didn’t expect this result” before adding: “Coming from the back, a lot of things happen on the first lap and even in the first stint, other cars fighting each other… you just have to stay out of trouble and stay clean. We managed all of that very well. The crucial call to go to inters worked out.”
Team principal Christian Horner was also delighted with the result, knowing that the chances of Verstappen keeping Hamilton in his championship sights were still a possibility. Horner said: “It feels like a victory for us today. We thought top five would be possible, so to come away with a podium, that’s hugely valuable.”