Max Verstappen edges Lewis Hamilton in last-lap thriller to be crowned new F1 champion

The
24-year-old
driver
notched
up
a
10th
victory
of
the
season
when
he
took
advantage
of
a
second
safety
car
to
overtake
seven-time
champion
Hamilton
on
the
final
lap
after
Nicholas
Latifi
crashed.

Verstappen
and
Hamilton,
who
went
into
the
race
level
on
points,
went
whee
to
wheel
to
the
chequered
flag
with
the
Dutchman
edging
the
race.

Verstappen
and
Hamilton
insist
they
both
enjoy
their
rivalry
ahead
of
deciding
Abu
Dhabi
Grand
Prix

Hamilton,
who
had
won
the
three
previous
races,
made
the
perfect
start
when
he
overtook
Verstappen
before
by
the
first
corner.

The
two
then
tangled
on
the
first
lap
with
Verstappen
overtaking
and
forcing
Hamilton
wide
off
the
track
but
the
Mercedes
driver
cut
across
and
rejoined
the
race
in
the
lead.

He
slowed
to
give
back
time
but
the
stewards
decided
not
to
investigate
the
incident.

Hamilton
built
up
a
lead
which
was
then
threatened
when
Red
Bull
took
advantage
of
a
virtual
safety
car
on
lap
36
of
58
to
switch
to
a
new
set
of
hard
tyres.

Hamilton
stayed
out
and
saw
the
Dutchman
erode
his
lead
with
every
lap.
Another
safety
car
on
lap
54
enabled
Verstappen
to
pit
again
and
switch
to
soft
tyres.

When
the
safety
car
came
off,
just
one
dramatic
lap
remained
and
the
two
began
it
neck
and
neck.

But
the
fresh
tyres
paid
off
for
the
24-year-old
Verstappen
who
surged
through
to
win
the
race
and
the
title
to
roars
from
the
stands
at
the
Yas
Marina
stands
as
curtains
came
down
on
a
thrilling
2021
FIA
F1
World
Championship.

Flashpoint

In
only
the
second
championship
chase
to
see
the
top
two
enter
the
final
race
of
the
season
all
square
on
points,
Verstappen
had
to
match
Hamilton
but
struggled
to
do
so
for
much
of
Sunday’s
remarkable
race.

Red
Bull
were
furious
following
an
early
flashpoint
that
had
Hamilton
ahead,
yet
Mercedes
were
outraged
by
the
chequered
flag
as
Verstappen,
on
fresh
tyres,
was
allowed
a
single
lap
after
a
safety
car
to
take
the
title.

Dutch
first

Hamilton
fell
just
short
of
history
on
this
occasion,
stuck
on
seven
titles
alongside
Michael
Schumacher,
but
there
was
a
new
landmark
for
champion
Verstappen.

His
18th
podium
of
the
year
was
undoubtedly
the
sweetest
and
made
the
Dutchman
the
first
man
to
reach
that
mark
in
a
single
F1
season.

Tough
start

Hamilton
looked
to
have
done
everything
right
but
paid
for
Mercedes’ call
not
to
bring
him
into
the
pit
lane
in
the
closing
stages.

A
tough
start
had
been
forecast
for
Hamilton
when
he
stuck
with
medium
tyres
while
Verstappen
–
and
others
close
behind
–
used
softs.
Instead,
rapid
reactions
at
lights
out
put
the
Mercedes
in
front.

Last-lap
thriller

Verstappen
struggled
to
find
the
requisite
pace,
but
was
given
another
lifeline
by
a
safety
car
with
four
laps
remaining.

Again
he
pitted
as
Hamilton
did
not
and
a
dramatic
finish
saw
lapped
cars
allowed
to
pass
the
safety
car,
infuriating
Mercedes
and
leaving
Verstappen
one
lap
to
go
at
the
race
leader,
who
he
decisively
passed
at
the
last.

(With
inputs
from
Agencies)