The Formula summary

Anyone crazy enough to race at mind-bending speeds is surely a maverick. But even then, F1 has managed to produce characters that stand out amidst the chaos. 

Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the eponymous Italian racing team, was known for his passion and uncompromising approach. Ferrari took great pride in his engines, emphasizing raw power over finesse and aerodynamics. That might have cost him a few titles, but he still managed to establish his team as a dominant force in F1, and to build a mystique around his cars through clever marketing.

Bernie Ecclestone's reign over Formula 1 was marked by shrewd business tactics and controversial decisions that shaped the sport's governance for decades. His approach to running F1 was often compared to a dictatorship, with Ecclestone wielding enormous power over teams, sponsors, and race organizers.

Ecclestone's masterstroke was in acquiring F1's commercial rights from the FIA, motor sport’s governing body, for a fraction of their true value. This deal gave him unprecedented control over the sport's revenues and decision-making processes. He leveraged this position to negotiate lucrative television deals and expand F1's global reach, paying himself enormous sums along the way.

Red Bull's entry into Formula 1 marked a significant disruption in the sport's traditional landscape. The company's founder, Dietrich Mateschitz, brought an unconventional approach to F1, transforming his outfit from a mere sponsorship opportunity into a fully fledged racing team.

Mateschitz's strategy was to shake up the established order of F1. He purchased the struggling Jaguar team for a symbolic one pound and rebranded it as Red Bull Racing. The team's approach was radically different from the start, focusing on creating a fun, energetic atmosphere in contrast to the serious, corporate environment of other teams.

After Red Bull’s stint at the top came a new era of dominance, under a different name: Mercedes. Mercedes' dominance in Formula 1 during the 2010s was a result of a perfect storm of talent, technology, and timing. 

Toto Wolff, a former racing driver turned investor, took over as team principal and co-owner of Mercedes F1 in 2013. His business acumen and leadership skills were instrumental in building a cohesive, high-performing team.

Liberty Media's acquisition of Formula 1 in 2017 marked a significant shift in the sport's business model and approach to audience engagement. The American media company recognized F1's potential as a content-rich platform and set out to modernize its operations.

Under Liberty's stewardship, F1 embraced digital media and social platforms, areas that had been largely neglected during Bernie Ecclestone's reign. They lifted restrictions on teams and drivers sharing behind-the-scenes content, allowing fans unprecedented access to the sport's inner workings.

It was always going to be a tense battle as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen went into the final race of the 2021 season with the championship on the line. But no one could have scripted the outcome. 

As the race neared its end, Hamilton, who only needed to finish ahead of his rival to win the championship, held a commanding lead. He was seemingly destined for his eighth world title. But a late crash by Nicholas Latifi brought out the safety car, setting the stage for a controversial finish.