MAX VERSTAPPEN has won a heart-stopping, controversial finale to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton was pegged in by a safety car, allowing Verstappen to pit for a new set of tyres, while the Brit could not stop.
That left the pair to race off with one lap to go, and with a fresh set of tyres it was then in Verstappen’s hands to win.
The safety car appears to have pulled the rug from under Hamilton’s feet and is sure to be the biggest controversy in Formula One history.
Hamilton had the chance to change his tyres with 20 laps to go but has gambled on keeping an old set of rubbers to close in on the world tile.
The pair made contact in the first lap after the Brit got an incredible jump on his rival at the start.
But after an investigation stewards have decided not to punish the reigning world champ.
Instead of giving a place back to Verstappen he only had to give back time. Red Bull were convinced he DIDN’T ease up and complained but the stewards were satisfied Hamilton did do so.
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CHRISTIAN HORNER HAILS FIA DECISION
“That just about sums up this year. I said Max was going to need something from the racing gods in the last 10 laps so thank you Nicholas Latifi for that Safety Car. We felt hard done by with the stewards at the beginning of the race but they did great to get the race going again.
“It’s been an insane competition, and for Max to win the world championship it’s not just about here, it’s the whole year. Lewis has been a phenomenal opponent all year, he’s a great world champion and that’s what makes it more valid to win this.
“We were screaming at him [Michael Masi} ‘let them race’. That’s what we’ve been talking about all year and this championship came down to the last lap. A great strategy call to make that pit stop, to take that set of softs and then it was down to Max and make it happen.
“It’s unheard of to leave the cars unlapped. You could see they wanted to get the race going again and they don’t need to catch up the back of the paddock. They made absolutely the right call – difficult circumstances and they called it right.
“I’m just so proud of Max, so proud of the team for what we’ve been through and what we’ve achieved against some fierce and great opponents.
“I was screaming from Turn Five all the way down the back straight. You just knew Max was not going to give it up. To see him cross the line and become world champion for us after all these years is an amazing feeling.
“This is right up with our first world championship. The quality of the opponents we’ve had this year, they’ve pushed us so hard and we’ve fought so hard, and then a stroke of good fortune for us and we made it work.”
JOS VERSTAPPEN IS TEARFUL AFTER SON’S GLORY
“I’m very proud. Because of the Safety Car we are in this situation, but still you have to do it and I think the team had a good strategy to call him in.
“Max was the driver this year and he really deserves this championship.
“I think the whole team was worried because we know Mercedes’ speed. But still he kept fighting, he always fights. That’s in his DNA and that’s what he’s done today. He said that every lap he was flat out and he was driving to the maximum.
“He only had one chance, one lap and that’s what he took.
“During the race I walked away as I didn’t believe it any more but I came back for the last lap.”
AN UNFORGETTABLE TITLE BATTLE
VERSTAPPEN COMPLETES HIS CHILDHOOD DREAM
“My goal when I was little was to become an F1 driver. You hope for wins, you hope to be on the podium, when they play the national anthem you one day hope they’ll play yours.
“Now standing here and they tell you you’re the world champion is something incredible.
“To share this special memory with my dad. All the things come back through your mind, all the years spent together and travelling for that goal and it comes here together on the last lap. It’s insane.”
“Lewis is an amazing driver, an amazing competitor.
“They made it really really hard for us. The two teams went against each other and we had some tough times but that’s part of sport and the emotion, everyone wants to win.
“It could have gone either way today and next year we’ll come back and try it all over again.”
BOTH DADS SHOW THEIR SUPPORT
HAMILTON KEEPS A LEVEL HEAD
“Firstly congratulations to Max and to his team.
“I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone back at the factory, have worked so hard this whole year, it’s been the most difficult of seasons.
“I’m so proud of them and I’m so grateful to be a part of the journey with them.
“This last part of the season we gave it absolutely everything 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.”
VERSTAPPEN: “LUCK FINALLY WENT MY WAY”
“It’s unbelievable. Throughout the whole race I kept fighting and to have an opportunity on the last lap, it’s incredible. I’m having cramp. It’s insane.
“I don’t know what to say. My team and Honda, they deserve it. I love them so much and I really really enjoy working with them. This year has been incredible.
“Finally a bit of luck for me.
“I also need to say a big thank you to Checo. He was driving his heart out today, it was great team-work and he’s an amazing team-mate.
“My team know I love them and I hope we can do this for 10-15 years together. There’s no reason to change ever, I want to stay with them for the rest of my life. I hope they let me.
“Christian and Helmut trusted me to be in the team in 2016, our goal was to be world champion and now we’ve done that.”
RUSSELL HAS HIS SAY
HAMILTON RECEIVES A HUG AND WORDS OF WISDOM FROM HIS FATHER
Anthony Hamilton goes on to congratulate Verstappen and his father Jos.
HAMILTON CONGRATULATES VERSTAPPEN
DRIVERS CELEBRATE AND COMMISERATE HAMILTON AND VERSTAPPEN
Vettel and Schumacher huge Hamilton ein the weight room.
While Norris and Sainz hug Verstappen as he celebrates the title.
HAMILTON LOST FOR WORDS
His race engineer says: “I’m just speechless Lewis, absolutely speechless.”
Hamilton does not reply.
There’s a lot of discussion in Mercedes’ garage as they feel aggrieved.
OUR NEW WORLD CHAMPION!
MAX VERSTAPPEN WINS THE RACE AND THE 2021 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!
Verstappen screams down the radio as the pit wall send wild cheers in return.
Mercedes are absolutely furious.
Christian Horner and Verstappen are crying their eyes out.
“We needed a bit of luck and we got it,” says Christian Horner to Verstappen on team radio. “We love you. We ****ing love you.”
Both Horner and Verstappen clearly in tears.
“We needed a bit of luck and we got it,” says Christian Horner to Verstappen on team radio. “We love you. We ****ing love you.”
ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX CONTINUES FOR ONE LAST LAP
The cars are allowed to lap the safety car, meaning it’s a straight shoot out.
VERSTAPPEN PASSES HAMILTON ON TURN 5
LAP 57 OF 58 – VERSTAPPEN LAUGHS OFF DECISION
“Yeah, of course. Typical decision,” says Verstappen.
He adds: “I’m not surprised.”
THREE LAPS REMAING
We could have one racing lap, as this 2021 championship fight could be settled on the final lap.
Perez has been told to retire the car, handing Mercedes the constructors championship.
The lapped cars will not be allowed to overtake Hamilton, meaning Verstappen has a handful of cars between him and Hamilton.
WILL WE GET ANY MORE RACING LAPS?
Brundle said: “Max Verstappen has fresh tyres, Lewis has worn tyres. Red Bull have nothing to lose here.
“Will there be any more racing laps? If there are, Max has got the tyres to do something.”
LAP 52 – FULL SAFETY CAR
Nicolas Latifi has crashed and the stewards have called for a safety car.
Verstappen stops for soft tyres while Hamilton is stays out of the pits again.
Hamilton sighs over the radio and says: “That’s unbelievable man.”
Hamilton could be left in the lurch if the race restarts.
LAP 51 – VERSTAPPEN HAS FIVE CARS TO LAP
Verstappen has five cars to lap after Norris’ pit stop, as he trails Hamilton by 11 seconds with six laps remaining.
Brundle added: “Lewis’ pace on tyres that have been on since Lap 14 is really quite sensational.”
HORNER SAYS ‘WE NEED A MIRACLE’
The Red Bull boss tells Sky F1: “The pace of the Mercedes is just too strong today. We’re going to need a miracle to turn this around.
“Max will drive his heart out these last 10 laps, you can guarantee that.”
LAP 50 – HAMILTON TOLD TO BE CAREFUL OF THE CURBS
Lando Norris was forced to pit due to a slow puncture after riding the curbs… giving Hamilton something else to worry about.
He is told to avoid the curbs on the final two turns of the circuit.
LAP 48 – VERSTAPPEN TAKES A SECOND OUT OF HAMILTON’S LEAD
Martin Brundle said: “Verstappen just took a second out of the lead there… but it’s still a dozen seconds.”
“But that may be down to Hamilton lapping the four cars.
“Hamilton’s dashboard is saying there are less laps remaining but his engineers have assured him to ignore the dash.”
LAP 46 – SEASON CLIMAX APPROACHING
Verstappen is chasing Hamilton but he is not showing the raw speed he needs to catch Hamilton by the end of the race.
The lead is now at 13.2 seconds with 11 laps remaining.
LAP 45 – HAMILTON WARNED OF BACK MARKERS
There are four cars ahead of Hamilton who are expected to be lapped.
He is warned to show extra caution as the cars ahead are scrapping for places.
Hamilton leads by almost 14 seconds.
Here’s the traffic jam which awaits him further up the road.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
