Max Verstappen has beaten Lewis Hamilton to the F1 World title after a dramatic last-lap overtake with the help of a safety car.
The late safety car enabled Red Bull driver, Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis Hamilton to clinch his first F1 title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Hamilton had held the lead for the majority of the race and looked to be coasting to victory when the safety car was brought out after a crash from Nicholas Latifi in the final few laps.
It looked like the race might end behind the safety car, but controversially, just one racing lap was left and the Dutchman was just behind the Lewis Hamilton, having been over 12 seconds behind before the crash.
Verstappen made it past, thanks to fresher tyres, and held off a Hamilton response to cross the line and claim the world title, to Red Bull’s delight and the fury of Mercedes.
A lot of talking points, and while Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will be disappointed about how the race and the season has ended for them in a very controversial way, Max Verstappen will be happy to have done this the hard way.
Max Verstappen speaking on winning his first world title: “It’s unbelievable. Throughout the whole race I kept fighting then there was the opportunity in the last lap, it’s incredible.
“I don’t know what to say. My team and Honda deserve it.
“Finally a bit of luck for me. I also want to say thank you to Checo, he’s been a brilliant teammate.
“My team know I love them I hope we can do this for 10, 15 years together.
“I don’t want to change ever. I want to stay with them for the rest of my life, if they will have me.
“I’m so happy. Our goal was to win this championship when we came together and now we have done that.”
Lewis Hamilton, on missing out on the world title: “Firstly congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year. The team, everyone back at the factory, all the men and women we have, worked so hard all year in a difficult season.
“I am so proud of them, and so grateful to be part of the journey with them. We gave it everything this last part of the season and never gave up, that’s the most important thing.
“Of course I have felt great in the car this past couple of months,particularly at the end. I hope everyone stays safe in the pandemic and has good Christmas during this time and we’ll see about next year.”