In the world of Formula 1, half a second can seem like an eternity. 

In a sport where the best drivers are determined by hundredths of a second, anything can happen in the smallest fraction of time that could decide the fate of drivers and teams.

Now consider how much can change in 664 days.

That is how long it has been since Max Verstappen won the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix — claiming his first F1 world championship in the process.

It has taken 664 days for the flying Dutchman to go from the driver who won a controversial world title, to arguably the greatest driver the sport has seen.

In the most controversial of circumstances — which led to a protest, an investigation and the sacking of a race director — Verstappen denied Lewis Hamilton a record eighth world title with a last-lap overtake and secured his first championship.

Many fans throught Verstappen should not have won that race. In fairness, he probably shouldn't have. But it soured what was a well-deserved world title.

You could argue he should have already won the title that year, but hadn't due to being taken out in Britain by Hamilton, taken out in Hungary in a crash caused by Hamilton's teammate and had a tyre puncture in Azerbaijan.

Verstappen's crowning moment, his greatest accomplishment, was clouded in the eyes of many.

Fast forward 664 days and Verstappen has won his third F1 world title.

The saga of Abu Dhabi is no longer the final act of a dramatic play but became the opening credits of a movie about one man's quest to become arguably the greatest driver in history.

Verstappen blew away the competition and convincingly won the next two championships.

2022 was domination. He secured 15 race wins and 454 championship points — both F1 records.