Max Verstappen grabs Formula One World Championship

Max Verstappen clinched his first Formula One World Championship after beating Lewis Hamilton in a controversial season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

This season had been heralded as one of the greatest in the sport’s history and the title race went down to the very last lap.

Hamilton had all but won his record-breaking eighth world title until Williams Racing driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the barriers with four laps remaining, resulting in the safety car being called out.

It meant the race restarted on the final lap, with Verstappen allowed to start almost side-by-side with Hamilton, despite the Brit having established a healthy lead.

The Dutchman, on new tires, had the pace to overtake his rival and win one of the most dramatic races ever in F1.

The victory meant Verstappen prevented Hamilton from claiming an eighth world title, which would have seen him surpass the record he shares with racing legend Michael Schumacher.

“It’s insane. I don’t know what to say. I’m so pleased for the team and for all these guys. I love working with them so much,” an emotional and slightly stunned Verstappen said after the race.

“Finally, today, I had a bit of luck. My team know I love them and I want to do this with them for the next 10 or 15 years!”

The two titanic rivals arrived at the Yas Marina Circuit level on points, setting up the perfect end to a title race which came down to the very final moments.

The Dutchman took the early advantage by qualifying in pole position after a magical qualifying lap on Saturday, a drive that will be remembered for quite some time.

But it was Hamilton who started the race better from second, overtaking Verstappen before the first corner and dominating the majority of the Grand Prix with the Mercedes pace.
There was controversy, as there has been throughout the season, with Red Bull adamant that Hamilton should have given his first place back to Verstappen after the Mercedes man went off the track following contact with his rival.

Stewards, however, decided not to investigate the incident and allowed Hamilton to proceed in first.

Red Bull then resorted to its Plan B, with Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez expertly holding up Hamilton after the Mercedes driver emerged from the pit lane in second.
The Brit finally found a way past the Red Bull but not until he had Verstappen back on his heels.

But Hamilton looked to have done enough, building up a double-digit second lead, and was cruising to victory before the mayhem of the final lap.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was left furious after stewards allowed the race to end in that way but Hamilton was sporting in defeat. (Courtesy CNN)