highlights। The most controversial F1 deciders: 1997 Europe, 2021 Abu Dhabi, and more

The most controversial F1 deciders: 1997 Europe, 2021 Abu Dhabi, and more There have been some great championship showdowns in F1 history, but there have also been some dark moments. Here are the times when there was a little bit too much drama… The 2025 Formula 1 season will end with this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in which three drivers remain in contention for the world title. Lando Norris leads the way on 408 points, 12 ahead of Red Bull world champion Max Verstappen and 16 in front of McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri. Although Norris heads into it as the favourite, past instances have shown that truly anything can happen at a season finale when the F1 crown is on the line. From on-track clashes to strange calls from race control, F1 has had its fair share of dubious finales. Here are the times things went bad, with some non-F1 misdemeanours too. Where: Mexico City Who: Graham Hill and Lorenzo Bandini Champion: John Surtees Given the lack of footage, this one is hard to call. But there’s no doubt that a clash between one title contender and the team-mate of another had an influence on the outcome of the world championship. Three drivers were in contention for the 1964 crown at the Mexico City finale, BRM’s Graham Hill, Ferrari’s John Surtees and Lotus’s Jim Clark. Injection problems hampered Surtees in practice and early in the race, while Clark streaked into the lead from pole. Once up to temperature, Surtees’s V8 cleared and he began a charge. He soon caught the fight for third between his team-mate Lorenzo Bandini and Hill. Eventually, Bandini and Hill made contact, the BRM being knocked out of contention (though Hill would finish 11th). Surtees later claimed he could see that something was going to happen given the ferocity of the battle, but who exactly was to blame remains a matter of debate. Either way, Clark was still well out in front and heading for the title when an oil line broke. Dan Gurney swept into the lead on the penultimate lap, then Bandini helped once more by moving aside for his team leader. Surtees thus finished second to beat Hill to the crown by a single point.