F1: Max Verstappen snatches championship from Lewis Hamilton after last-lap drama in Abu Dhabi
- Hamilton and Verstappen began the day equal on points at the top of the Drivers’ Championship
- Dutch driver had all but lost before crash brought out safety car and changed race
Max Verstappen won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the Formula One world championship for Red Bull on Sunday after passing the Mercedes of title rival Lewis Hamilton on the last lap.
Hamilton had been cruising to his eighth world title, but a crash involving Williams Racing’s Nicholas Latifi with just four of the 58 laps to go brought out the safety car and changed the race.
Verstappen took the opportunity to change to softer tires and when the wreckage of Latifi’s car had been removed from the track, officials ruled that that there would be a single lap to decide the race.
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 Yas Marina stands.
“It’s insane,” Verstappen said after the race. “The guys at my team, at Honda, I love them so much. Finally, a bit of luck for me.”
“Congratulations to Max and to his team, I think he did an amazing job this year,” Hamilton said.
In a season of controversies, the title decider had an early twist in it when Hamilton and Verstappen almost collided on the opening lap, with the Mercedes driver pushed wide and cutting a corner to keep the lead.
Hamilton had taken the lead from the start with Verstappen slow off the mark from pole position but making a move on the inside into turn seven.
Verstappen was quick on the radio to tell his team that Hamilton needed to give the place back, while the Briton told Mercedes he had been pushed off track.
Stewards decided no investigation was necessary, with race director Michael Masi saying Hamilton had slowed enough to give back the time advantage gained.
“That’s incredible. What are they doing here?” said Verstappen when informed.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner told Sky Sports television from the pitwall that there was “a total lack of consistency” in the stewards’ decision and his team now had to “do it the hard way”.
His team manager Jonathan Wheatley continued the debate with Masi, saying Verstappen had done everything right and he did not understand the logic.
“Jonathan, the stewards have reviewed it and determined that all of the lasting advantage was gained and that Max forced that position there. They have said they have reviewed it and are not investigating.”
Jenson Button, the 2009 world champion, said he was also struggling to understand the regulations.
“Obviously, in Brazil there was no penalty, but they both drove off the circuit. Max stayed on the track this time,” said the Briton, referring to a similar incident at Interlagos last month.
Hamilton’s former teammate Nico Rosberg agreed: “Max was a little bit too lungy and too aggressive, forcing Lewis out too strongly, even though he had a right to the corner there,” said the German.
“Then I would also say Lewis didn’t give back everything that he gained.”
