Formula 1 has gone through many changes in the 21st century. The introduction of DRS, designs of cars to encourage closer racing, Turbo-Hybrid engines and many many more. As we wait for the 2023 Formula 1 season to kick off in Bahrain, I have created a list of the top 20 F1 races from the 21st century for you to deliberate about and rewatch. Contained are some of the greatest drives within the sport, wether it be a battle to the line, or just a dominant performance, each race has their own unique attributes.
#20 2008 British Grand Prix
In torrential downpour, Lewis Hamilton was able to turn the tide in what would be his first Championship Title. Hamilton would finish 68 seconds ahead of second place Nick Heidfeld. The skill, speed and precision was unprecedented on that wet day in Silverstone. Hamilton would channel the British crowd through each corner his chrome McLaren swooped through. This may be the most dominant victory in the 21st Century.
#19 2021 São Paulo Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton would start the Sprint Race in 20th following a DRS disqualification. Battling through to reach P10 for the starting grid. His Championship rival Verstappen was comfortable setting off in P2. Hamilton was on a different level when he arrived on the grid that weekend. Charging through the field, the blacked out Mercedes would cross the line P1. Possibly the greatest comeback drive of all time, Hamilton changed the scene of the Championship standings.
#18 2014 Bahrain Grand Prix
The new turbo-hybrid era emerged in 2014. Fans were rewarded with what has been titled the “Duel in the Desert.” Hamilton and Rosberg were teammates soon to be enemies. One of the greatest rivalries in Formula 1 sparked on that late night in Bahrain. Lap after lap, corner after corner, the dominant Mercedes scrapped with each other. Hamilton was the victor as Sergio Perez completed the podium with a dominant drive.
#17 2005 Japanese Grand Prix
There was a time when Kimi Raikkonen was a young and aspiring driver. At the Suzuka Circuit in 2005, Kimi climbed up the grid from 17th to 1st. With the likes of Alonso and Schumacher starting 14th and below, it was destined to be a battle to the end. This was also where Alonso performed one of the greatest overtakes in F1 history, passing Michael Schumacher at 130R. Kimi snatched the lead on the final lap, cruising past Fisichella to take a momentous victory.
#16 2010 Australian Grand Prix
Jenson Button grabbed his first win for McLaren during his second outing with the team. The 2009 World Champion listened to his instincts and switched to dry tyres first. It was this risk that paid off for the experienced Brit. Webber and Hamilton tangled into each other towards the end as both Ferraris were unable to make significant progress. Vettel resorted to the gravel after a promising getaway from pole position. Button took his opportunity to silence any critics and stand on the top step of that podium.
#15 2018 United States Grand Prix
Kimi Raikkonen would see his first win in 5 years at an action-packed Circuit of the Americas. The Flying Finn beat Hamilton to the first corner and coursed a dominant lead right to the end. Verstappen had a super race, lassoing his way through to fight for the podiums. Hamilton and Verstappen battled right to the end with Max taking P2. Fans were left with a smile as the Veteran Kimi crossed the line to complete win No. 21.
#14 2022 São Paulo Grand Prix
George Russell did not have the first season with Mercedes he expected. This might be why his first win at Interlagos was so much sweeter. Lewis followed in P2 to end a perfect weekend for Mercedes. Fans were left shocked early on when Magnussen took his first career pole position. Red Bull left Brazil with both drivers in disagreement over Max not allowing Sergio extra points for second in the championship. And who doesn’t love it when Max and Lewis come together?
#13 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen entered the final race on equal points. The final 5 laps of the closest Championship Battle in F1 history is imbedded in every fans head. The adrenaline running through everybody’s veins during that last lap is incomparable. Let us not forget the defence displayed by Sergio Perez to hold back Lewis Hamilton for a whole two laps, allowing his teammate to catch back up. All the radio messages immersed the fans even more into the drama. It was fate for the biggest championship battle to fall down to the final lap, in the final race.
#12 2021 Italian Grand Prix
In the midst of one of the toughest title fights in Formula 1, McLaren stepped up to the plate and delivered a 1-2 at the beautiful circuit, Monza. Verstappen and Hamilton, going side by side, dramatically collided in extreme fashion. Under constant scrutiny and judgement, Ricciardo comfortably drove his Papaya McLaren to the top of the podium. Taking his first victory since 2018, it was a momentous day for the Australian driver. With Lando Norris tucked in behind, giving McLaren their first 1-2 since Canada 2010, when Hamilton had beat Button to the line.
#11 2018 German Grand Prix
Hockenheim never seems to disappoint in Formula 1, and this wasn’t any different for the 2018 season. When rain started to hit the circuit, home hero Sebastian Vettel was caught out. Leading the race on lap 52, the Ferrari crashed out, breaking thousands of German hearts. Through Sebastians downfall, Hamilton arose from 14th on the grid to take an exceptional victory. Mercedes’ first 1-2, in the country where their origins lie, was controlled by brilliant strategy and supreme drives from both pilots. The result would swing the championship Hamilton’s way.
#10 2012 European Grand Prix
In the heart of Valencia, Fernando Alonso superbly won from 11th on the grid. The podium would be completed with Schumacher and Raikkonen, creating possibly one of the best podiums in Formula 1. With young guns Vettel and Hamilton retiring from the race, Alonso waved his Spanish flag in front of the joyous fans. A race filled with collisions, mishaps and sublime overtakes, it was perfect for the fans. Schumacher’s return to the podium was met with nostalgic love; it being his first podium in 6 years.
#9 2017 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Very few drivers reached the chequered flag untouched. Flying Finns Bottas and Raikkonen collided into turn 2, making it a long way back to the pits. This only made Bottas’ come back to P2 that much greater, snatching the position of who was to become the second youngest podium sitter, Lance Stroll, in the last 100 metres. Vettel and Hamilton famously banged wheels at safety car speed, following a “brake check” by Hamilton. At the end of the day, it was Daniel Ricciardo who shot from a midfield position to P1 with some amazing overtakes, one of which took three drivers in one corner.
#8 2020 Italian Grand Prix
A momentous day in Formula 1, Pierre Gasly took his maiden win in a phenomenal race at Monza. AlphaTauri, the same team (under Toro Rosso) that took Vettel to his first win at the same track in 2008, embraced the opportunity to take a commanding victory. The last few laps were an intense cat and mouse chase, with Sainz following closely behind in P2. Hamilton having entered the pit lane whilst it was closed was handed a penalty, dropping him down the grid after a red flag restart caused by Leclerc’s Ferrari crashing into the wall. A mixed up grid halfway through the race created a joyous watch for fans of the sport right until the chequered flag.
#7 2019 São Paulo Grand Prix
Max Verstappen converted pole position into the race win in Brazil, however, the race was so much more than this. During the final few laps, we saw the two Ferrari’s touch wheels, leading both to retire from the race. Alex Albon seemed set to grab his first F1 podium before the Silver Arrow of Hamilton spun him out, dropping him down the order. This did lead to a drag race to the line between Hamilton and Gasly, with the French Driver edging him out to P2, securing his first F1 podium. Carlos Sainz begun the race in P20 following a power unit failure in qualifying. Sensationally taking his McLaren to P4, the Spaniard was later promoted to P3 following Hamilton’s penalty.
#6 2011 Canadian Grand Prix
The 2011 Canadian Grand Prix is in everybody’s Top 10 list when it comes to modern Formula 1 races. Often hailed as Button’s greatest race, that famous last lap pass on then champion Sebastian Vettel has gone down in history. Being the longest race in Formula 1, there had to be plenty of drama; it did not disappoint. With all the cars slipping and sliding, the race was halted for 2 hours due to heavy rain. Aside from Buttons wonder win, there was so many incidents and plot lines, spectators were left breathless at the end.
#5 2014 Hungarian Grand Prix
In the heat of the Mercedes driver rivalry, Ricciardo had managed to secure his second victory in F1 in an electrifying race. With ten laps to go, the top three were covered by just over a second; Ricciardo in P3 currently. The amplified Australian would find his way past Hamilton and Alonso with some exceptional overtakes. With spinners left right and centre, and Marcus Ericsson shunting into the wall at high speed (experiencing a force of 20G), it was a non-stop lights to flag action packed race, filled with drama and controversy surrounding the Mercedes drivers; adding fire to the flame.
#4 2020 Turkish Grand Prix
On the day we saw Lewis Hamilton secure his seventh championship title, a record equalling stat shared with Michael Schumacher, Turkey provided us with a hair-raising race. Starting in sixth and having an unlikely error on lap 1, Hamilton would show who he was by crossing the line over 30 seconds ahead of second place Perez. On a greasy track, the choice of tires was key on Raceday. Racing Point already took a shock 1-2 in qualifying as Stroll secured his first pole position. Hamilton’s only rival to the title Bottas would have an awful afternoon, spinning multiple times into P14. A last lap scrap, greasy surface and mixed up pit stops resulted in a gripping afternoon.
#3 2022 British Grand Prix
Rarely does Silverstone ever disappoint, and it certainly stuck to this motto in 2022. Fan favourite Carlos Sainz converted his first pole position to his maiden F1 victory. Before turn 1, Zhou was involved in an unbelievable crash, causing a red flag restart. Verstappen finished P7 due to damage encountered early in the race. A safety car restart late in the race resulted in the now famous battle between Hamilton, Perez and Leclerc. Lap after lap of pure racing, Sainz was able to quickly escape into P1 and cross the line comfortably in first. Mick Schumacher even experienced a last lap fight with Championship leader Verstappen, just finishing behind in P8.
#2 2012 São Paulo Grand Prix
In one of the most dramatic title-deciding races, Sebastian Vettel would drive a race that most drivers would find unfathomable. Yet again, it was Alonso vs Vettel fighting for the title. Lap 1, Vettel would end up being spun, falling down to the bottom of the field. Alonso did all he could do, but it was the breathtaking, miraculous drive by Vettel to climb up to P6, enough to retain the crown for a third time. Besides the title scrap, the fight at the front for P1, Hulkenberg would lead the race for 30 laps, eventually falling out due to a collision with Hamilton. Just incase it needed more drama, the race was greeted by rain showers throughout. Schumacher’s final race, and Button’s final win, the 2012 Brazilian GP will always go down as one of the greatest.
#1 2019 German Grand Prix
If fans thought the 2018 German GP was good, it would only improve the next year. Verstappen would take triumph in P1, whilst Vettel followed behind with an amazing drive from P20. Kvyat would finish the podium with a surprising P3. In Mercedes’ 200th race, what should have been a celebration ended with Bottas crashing out, and pole sitter Hamilton dropping to P9. The rain would come and go, creating pit-stop mishaps and difficult tire choices. Leclerc and Hamilton would both be off at the penultimate corner, with Lewis surviving to the pit lane. Hulkenberg looked set for a podium finish at this home GP, only to find his car aquaplaning out. It is no doubt the race as voted by F1 Fans as the ‘Race of the Decade.’
2021 Sau Paulo Image – https://www.mercedesamgf1.com/en/news/2021/2021-brazilian-grand-prix–/2021-brazilian-grand-prix-mercedes-sunday-hamilton-bottas/
2014 Bahrain Image – https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/2014-bahrain-grand-prix-the-start-of-hamilton-and-rosbergs-rivalry-4983397/4983397/
2005 Japanese Image – https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.were-streaming-the-2005-japanese-grand-prix-heres-why-you-should-watch.4J1vPpooilIlqtRCoPcRx.html
2010 Australia Image – https://edition.cnn.com/2010/SPORT/03/28/motorsport.f1.standings/index.html
2018 US Image – https://f1experiences.com/blog/in-pictures-the-2018-united-states-grand-prix
2022 Sau Paulo Image – https://www.motorsportweek.com/2022/11/13/f1-2022-sao-paulo-gp-race-results/
2021 Abu Dhabi Image – https://www.autosport.com/f1/news/f1-abu-dhabi-gp-verstappen-defeats-hamilton-to-win-title-in-controversial-last-lap-duel/6877931/
2021 Monza image – https://metro.co.uk/2021/09/14/monza-madness-with-lewis-hamilton-didnt-reflect-well-on-entitled-max-verstappen-15254124/
2018 German gp image – https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.vettel-wont-lose-sleep-over-germany-error.28GD0onuzqEoMAaGMoWCq0.html
2012 european image – https://www.crash.net/f1/results/181162/1/european-grand-prix-valencia-race-results-updated
2017 Baku Image – https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/features/2017/6/f1-winners-and-losers-azerbaijan-baku-gp.html
2020 Italian Image – https://www.espn.com/f1/story/_/id/29825701/monza-classic-offers-glimpse-f1-exciting-future
2019 Sau Paulo Image – https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/12/03/formula-1-driver-max-verstappen-holds-key-dethroning-lewis-hamilton/
2011 canada image – https://www.mclaren.com/racing/2014/canadian-grand-prix/14-moments-of-triumph-and-tears-at-the-canadian-gp/
2014 Hungary image – https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2142774-hungarian-f1-grand-prix-2014-results-winner-standings-highlights-and-reaction
2020 Turkey image – https://www.autoweek.com/racing/formula-1/a34680426/lewis-hamiltons-f1-turkish-grand-prix-drive-is-one-for-the-ages/
2022 British image – https://www.motorsportmagazine.com/articles/opinions/gp-racing-at-its-very-best-silverstone-showed-why-f1-is-on-the-right-track/?v=79cba1185463
2012 Brazil image – https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/190066046745555570/
2019 German image – https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article.unwell-hamilton-bemoans-terrible-disastrous-german-grand-prix.2SLQoIaVkv30NGY3TXRQgQ.html