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Day: 12 December 2021

Last-gasp Verstappen overtake seals world title

by: Luke Entwistle
12/12/2021

A final lap overtake saw Max Verstappen steal the drivers title from the clutches of Lewis Hamilton in dramatic and controversial circumstances at Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Verstappen went into the race level on points with his rival. But having claimed pole position in Saturday’s qualifying session, the race seemed to be getting away from the Dutch driver after Hamilton got a better launch and took the lead at the first corner.
The Mercedes, with their superior pace, managed to eke out a lead over Verstappen despite the Dutchman being on the supposedly quicker soft tyres.
Hamilton, having grown enough of an advantage, nullified the effect of Verstappen’s undercut, but Sergio Perez in the other Red Bull managed to hold up the charging Hamilton to allow Verstappen to catch up.
From that point, Hamilton once more grew a lead, and with only a matter of laps remaining the title seemed wrapped up, prompting Red Bull team boss Christian Horner to declare,“We need a miracle.”
That is exactly what Red Bull got. With only five laps remaining, a Nicolas Latifi spin brought out the safety car, prompting Verstappen to fit a fresh set of soft tyres, whilst Hamilton, unwilling to give up track position, stayed out on his old set of hards.
Hamilton and Verstappen looked set to battle it out one final time, in what was to be a grandstand finish to a 2021 season that has failed to separate the two greats. The FIA, however, had other plans, as they originally decided against allowing the lapped cars, which separated the title rivals, through. But a last-second, controversial change of heart allowed them to pass, leaving just inches between Hamilton and Verstappen as they began a one-lap sprint on the final lap of the season.
Verstappen on his fresher tyres, threw his car down the inside of turn seven in a gutsy, audacious move, which gave him the lead going into the kilometre-long straight. A combination of the Red Bull’s pace on the fresh tyres, and some aggressive defence from Verstappen, allowed the Dutchman to stay ahead.
Verstappen took the chequered flag to win his maiden F1 world championship, when only laps earlier, Hamilton looked to have pocketed his eighth world championship. The contrast of emotions couldn’t have been clearer. Verstappen was ecstatic as he was joined by his crew in the celebrations. Hamilton was disconsolate, opting to stay in his car for several minutes as he dwelt over the chaotic final moments, which turned the championship on its head.
The drama didn’t stop there. Mercedes lodged an appeal post-race, contesting the race result on the two grounds. Firstly, that Verstappen overtook Hamilton under the safety car, and the second, a complaint regarding the FIA’s implementation of the rules under the safety car. The appeals were ultimately rejected, and the result stood.
Having secured his first championship, Verstappen is now looking to emulate his title rival in becoming a serial winner. “I’m so happy. Our goal was to win this championship when we came together and we have done that… I hope we can do this for 10, 15 years together.”
 
 
Photo source: Formula One Twitter
 
 

Slow-starting Roca team lose to Milano

by: Luke Entwistle
12/12/2021

A blistering first-quarter from Milano allowed the Italians to cruise past a profligate Roca team, whose late rally wasn’t enough to avoid succumbing to a 65-71 loss at the Salle Gaston Medecin on Friday.

With the Italian side’s better organisation, boundless energy and superior efficiency, the result was rarely in doubt. As Zvezdan Mirovic bluntly summarised, “They were stronger in every position.” The home side did however, limit the damage with a more resolute defensive showing after the first quarter.

The tone for Monaco’s sloppy offensive performance was set very early on. Ibrihima Fall-Faye, with space and time, failed to complete the most simple of 10 yard passes for an easy 2-pointer, providing a microcosm of the Principality side’s disjointed attacking display on the night.  

Their inferior efficiency and passing precision was plain for all to see in the hall, a gulf that was particularly pronounced during the first-quarter, where a meagre 33% accuracy for Monaco within the key, contrasted with Milan’s 81%, saw the Italian side create a healthy 14-26 lead.

The Roca team’s defensive play improved in the second-quarter, although overloads in the Monaco key allowed Milan to maintain their advantage. The same however, cannot be said for their offensive play, often too static, Monaco’s attack failed to manufacture room for three pointers. Even when they did, their 11% accuracy outside the key meant that this wasn’t a reliable source of points.

Paris Lee, in particular, having looked imperious in recent matches, failed to register any of his four attempts outside the key in the first-quarter, and only converted 28% of his three-point attempts on the night. Brock Motum, who had multiple opportunities was equally profligate,  – their confidence clearly lacking after the first-quarter mauling.

Milan’s efficiency from outside the key in particular, allowed them to keep the Principality side at arm’s length throughout the second-half, consolidating rather than extending their significant first-quarter advantage. Lee tried to drag Monaco back into the tie with some important scores, including a three-pointer, in the third-quarter, but to no avail.

A late comeback in the fourth-quarter led by star-man, and scorer of 19 points on the night, Lee was not enough to reap any reward for the Principality side. Monaco were ultimately second-best for a large proportion of the night, and Milan, who expertly controlled the match, were deserved winners.

Adding to the Roca team’s woes was the withdrawal of Mike James. The American point guard was making his return from injury, but could only last a matter of minutes on the court, a loss that Mitrovic told Monaco Life was crucial to the Roca team’s first-quarter loss.

“The moment I rotated the team with Mike (James) and the rest of the guys, we started going down. This was the reason for the first quarter. It is difficult to play only one point guard in the team.” With Lee as the only fit point guard, Mitrovic added, “I played Lee for 35 minutes. I’m killing him!”

Sunday’s match away to Strasbourg may come too soon for James, but Mitrovic will be hoping to have his star man back soon as his side look to make a quick return to winning ways.