Croft looks back on Abu Dhabi 2021: 'Lewis was cruising to an 8th world title'

The 2021 season will go down in history as one of the best in the entirety of F1's history. David Croft looks back on his commentary during the race that defined the title battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Of course, it's impossible to forget, and very easy to remember the emotionality of the 2021 season. Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton locked in a year-long ferocious fight for the championship, and behind them team principals Christian Horner and Toto Wolff, locking horns several times as well.

Throughout the season there were moments that went for one driver, only to go for the other the next. As the field landed in Abu Dhabi for the season finale with Verstappen and Hamilton neck and neck, there were to be two more controversial moments.

One hindered Verstappen at the start, similar to the incident for which the Dutchman was penalised at Jeddah last time out, the other, hindered Hamilton at the end of the race.

Lewis Hamilton goes off the track and maintains the lead ahead of Max Verstappen

Croft saw Hamilton 'cruising to 8th title' before unexpected Verstappen upset

Croft, in an interview with The Times remembers experiencing the titanic tussle under the Abu Dhabi lights.

“Being in the thick of it… entrusted to deliver a commentary that everyone could follow. I’m not expecting it [Verstappen pulling off the upset win], because ten laps from the end Lewis was cruising to an eighth world title.”

“We must have handled it well, we won a Bafta for it. What an adrenaline moment," recalls Croft.