MAX VERSTAPPEN was victorious for the 19th time this season while George Russell’s third place was enough to secure second-spot in the constructors’ championship for Mercedes – worth $10million.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was second in the race, tried a last-ditch attempt to stop Russell with some smart thinking.
He allowed Red Bull’s Sergio Perez to overtake him on the final lap in the hope the Mexican could make up for his incoming five-second penalty for clashing with Lando Norris.
However, Perez was unable to pull the necessary gap and resulted in him finishing fourth and Russell keeping third.
Lewis Hamilton’s ninth place sealed the deal with Ferrari’s strategy backfiring as Carlos Sainz was forced to pit for tyres late on, dropping him out of the points as Mercedes beat the Italian team by three points.
Russell said: “It means a huge amount.
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“There are so many people back at the factory, Brackley, Brixworth, who have worked so hard to achieve this. It has been a really challenging season.
“I have let the side down a couple of times this year so I am pleased to bring it across the line.
“It was tight with Checo [Perez] at the end and I thought Charles was going to back me up, but respect to him for keeping it clean.
“The tyres were dropping off but I was really pleased to have secured P2 for the team. I’m sure the team will have a few drinks tonight.”
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Leclerc added: “On one hand I’m really happy because on a weekend like this, there wasn’t one thing we could have done better as a team.
“We did an incredible job doing everything right – strategy, qualifying. It’s just a shame we finished third in the constructors’.
“That’s all that mattered to me at the end of the season and we didn’t achieve that.”
Verstappen, who won the title in the Qatar sprint race, celebrated by pulling donuts on the grid as his team celebrated the most successful-ever season in F1.
He said: “It was an incredible season, it was a bit emotional on the last lap. The last time sitting in the car which of course has given me a lot.
“Of course, very proud to win the final race, I have to say thanks to everyone at Red Bull.
“It’s been an incredible year. It will be hard to do something similar, but we definitely enjoyed this year.
“It will be very hard to have another season like this, we know that, you always want to do better, but doing better is not always race wins and winning the championship.
”We are working hard for next year for a very competitive car
“For sure all the other teams want to try and beat us next year, but we are ready for the battle and in the meantime we’re going to enjoy this year as well.”
He made a good start but quickly came under pressure from Leclerc, who knew the opening laps would present his best opportunity to try and get past the champion.
The Ferrari man pressed hard but was unable to find a way through, allowing Verstappen to start increasing his advantage over the rest of the field.
Further back, Hamilton, who started 11th, had a battle with Perez for eighth place as the two went wheel to wheel.
However, Sainz was unable to make any headway after starting in 16th place in his Ferrari.
A slow stop for Norris in his McLaren promoted Russell a spot while Hamilton suffered a damaged front wing after diving into the back of Pierre Gasly.
The seven-time world champion was issued with a toe-curling rallying call from boss Toto Wolff over the team’s radio.
“Lewis, second quickest car last lap, you’re quick,” said the Austrian. Hamilton replied: “Thanks, Toto.”
Hamilton was in the thick of the action scrapping for the crucial points in Merc’s battle with Ferrari.
At one point he tangled with Fernando Alonso with Hamilton claiming he was “brake tested” by the Aston Martin driver.
Hamilton moved into the points after passing Sainz on lap 48, it was a great sweeping overtake from the Brit that moved Mercedes into second place in the championship – with Hamilton finishing third in the individual standings.
Up the road ahead, Norris and Perez banged wheels earning the Mexican a five second time penalty.
Sainz then moved into 10th to swing the championship back in Ferrari’s favour, with Leclerc holding on to the second place.
And the Italian team were given more breathing space when Perez passed Russell to move into third place and dropping the Brit to fourth.
However, once Perez’s penalty was applied that meant Russell was prompted while Ferrari’s gamble to leave Sainz out until a safety car backfired.
There was none and it meant Sainz had to come in on the final lap for new tyres as part of the rules to use at least two compounds.
His DNF afforded Hamilton a late mistake where he was passed by Yuki Tsunoda for eighth with the Brit ending a miserable year in ninth place.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
