Motorsport

LEWIS HAMILTON missed out on a record eighth F1 world title after a stunning safety car decision saw rival Max Verstappen pip him on the final lap of the season.The Mercedes superstar had been leading at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when a late Nicholas Latifi crash brought out the safety car.
Lewis Hamilton narrowly lost to Max Verstappen at Yas Marina CircuitCredit: Getty
And a contentious call to allow lapped cars to overtake before the safety car came in cleared the way for Verstappen to attack the Merc man on a fresher set of tyres.
The flying Dutchman squeezed past just seconds before the end to claim victory and his first ever championship.
Furious Mercedes chiefs immediately protested the result and signalled their intention to appeal after their initial pleas were rejected by FIA bosses.
But the drama at Yas Marina Circuit is far from the first time the F1 season has finished in such dramatic style. 
Here SunSport runs the rule over seven other jaw-dropping moments in motorsport history.
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ITALY 1956
RENT-A-CAR STAR
Monza was the venue for the final race of the 1956 season.
Three drivers were in contention for the title, Ferrari’s Fangio and Peter Collins, as well as Maserati’s Jean Behra.
Behra was forced to retire, while it looked dicey for Fangio when a broken steering arm forced him into the pits.
However, in an incredible moment of sportsmanship Collins gave him his car to finish second and claim the crown.
No22 Fangio leads Stirling Moss at Monza in 1956Credit: Getty
MEXICO 1964
SURTEES BEST OF BRITISH
A trio of British drivers headed to a boiling Mexico City all in championship contention – John Surtees of Ferrari, BRM’s Graham Hill and Lotus’ Jim Clark.
Clark led for 63 of 65 laps until his engine failed on the final lap. 
Hill could have been champion, if Lorenzo Bandini hadn’t driven into the back of him and dropped out of the points places.
Surtees, in the end, got through to finish second and pip Hill by one point in the standings.
John Surtees clinches the 1964 World ChampionshipCredit: LAT Photographic
UNITED STATES 1974
ALL TO PLAY FOR
1974 was the only other time two drivers were level pegging going into the final race until Hamilton vs Verstappen on Sunday.
It wasn’t a Grand Prix of such high drama at Watkins Glen as a damper problem meant Fittipaldi’s rival Clay Regazzoni finished in 11th.
The Brazilian finished fourth, winning his second title by three points.
But his win was sadly overshadowed by the fatal crash of Austrian racer Helmuth Koinigg.
Emerson Fittipaldi finished fourth at the US GP to clinch his second titleCredit: Getty
JAPAN 1976
HAPPY HUNTING IN THE WET
So good, and involving two great personalities, it made the astonishing film Rush.
Niki Lauda and James Hunt fought it out at the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix in a thrilling climax to the season.
Lauda, who two months earlier had suffered the horror fireball crash at the German Grand Prix, retired on lap two because of the shocking weather conditions.
Hunt stuck with it and managed to finish third in the pouring rain to nab the four points he needed to be champion.
Heavy rain made the 1976 Japanese GP hell for the driversCredit: LAT Photographic
AUSTRALIA 1994
SCHUMACHER ON TWO WHEELS
It was a move that looked like it belonged in an action movie.
Adelaide was the setting for Britain’s Damon Hill and Michael Schumacher to lock horns and even cars.
The German was leading when he turned sharply at the East Terrace corner on lap 36.
He then pulled sharply across Hill, who tried to work his way up the inside as they approached the next corner.
Schumacher was knocked onto two wheels and out of the race. But Hill’s suspension forced him out, giving Schumi the win by one point.
Michael Schumacher was knocked onto two wheels after a run in with HillCredit: Sutton Motor Sport Images
EUROPE 1997
SCHUMI KICKED OUT
Three years later, along came another unsavoury Schumacher incident that saw him disqualified from the 1997 driver standings.
Williams’ Villeneuve was behind the Ferrari man by a single point as they headed to Jerez.
On lap 48, Villeneuve spotted Schumacher leaving space for him to pass, but he turned into him – ricocheting off the Williams car and into the gravel.
Schumi couldn’t get going again, and the Canadian went on to finish third and secure the title.
Jacques Villeneuve and Schumacher collided in JerezCredit: Sutton Motor Sport Images
BRAZIL 2008
HAMILTON’S LAST GASP
Before Sunday, the conclusion to the 2008 Brazil GP ranked as the most extraordinary final lap in Hamilton’s driving career.
Lewis went to Interlagos leading by seven points from local lad Felipe Massa.
Massa was brilliant and won the race – his second ever win in his home country. 
But Hamilton saw Timo Glock slow down as he struggled on dry tyres in the wet. 
The Brit zipped past him right at the end to claim fifth and four points for his first title.
Hamilton claimed his first world title in 2008Credit: PA:Press Association
‘We’ll see about next year’ – Lewis Hamilton hints he might not return for next F1 season in subtle retirement nod More

NICHOLAS LATIFI has apologised for his part in the controversial finale to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.The Williams driver crashed into a wall with six laps remaining at the season-ending showdown.
Nicholas Latifi crashed out six laps from the end at Yas Marina CircuitCredit: Getty
Mercedes superstar Lewis Hamilton had built a comfortable lead at the front of the pack but saw that cut after the safety car was deployed.
And a call from the stewards to let a handful of lapped cars past before removing the safety car allowed Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen to pip him on the final lap.
A regretful Latifi said: “We were just really struggling for grip through the next sequence of corners, and especially where I ended up going off.
“It’s been a tricky corner all weekend for me, so dirty tyres, dirty air and I made a mistake.
“I wasn’t aware of the situation of the race up until then. Obviously it was never my intention to inadvertently influence that, but I made a mistake and ruined my own race.”
“It was never my intention and I can only apologise for influencing and creating an opportunity.
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“But again, I made a mistake.”
Furious Merc chiefs launched a protest after the race and immediately signalled their intention to appeal after seeing their initial pleas rejected.
Workers at the team’s HQ stood to win at least £10k EACH in bonuses if Hamilton had won a record eighth world title.
But they were left to fume after Verstappen capitalised on the safety car call and fresher tyres to pip their man on the last lap of the season.
‘We’ll see about next year’ – Lewis Hamilton hints he might not return for next F1 season in subtle retirement nod More

MERCEDES staff are on track to pocket an enormous Christmas bonus despite seeing Lewis Hamilton pipped to the F1 world title at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.Each worker at the team’s HQ and factory will receive AT LEAST £10k following the controversial season finale.
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen embraced after the raceCredit: Getty

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen dramatically overtook Mercedes star Hamilton on the final lap of the season to claim his first drivers’ championship.
But Merc did enough as a team to snatch the constructors’ title from Red Bull’s grasp, meaning a bumper payday for Silver Arrows staff.
Hamilton himself had been in line for a mammoth £4million payout if he had lifted an unprecedented eighth drivers’ crown.
The 36-year-old currently sits level with the great Michael Schumacher on seven drivers’ titles.
He is by far the highest-paid man on the grid, taking home around £40m a year – including bonuses and add-ons.
Hamilton was leading at Yas Marina Circuit when a late Nicholas Latifi crash resulted in the safety car being deployed.
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Stewards said lapped cars would not be allowed to pass under safety car conditions, before reversing that call to allow a handful of backmarkers through.
That cleared the way for Verstappen in second to attack Hamilton on a fresher set of tyres, with the 24-year-old taking victory and his first world title.
While his Merc team bosses ranted at race director Michael Masi, Hamilton calmly praised the new champ in his post-race interview.
And the veteran driver even hinted he may consider his future in the sport as he weighs up whether to return next season.
Red Bull Racing celebrate Max Verstappen’s F1 world title win More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has been wearing an incredible ‘lucky watch’ ever since his victorious Monaco Grand Prix in which he first took the championship lead.The stunning watch was gifted to the new F1 world champion ahead of the race in Monte Carlo earlier this year.
Verstappen celebrates his incredible victoryCredit: Alamy
The TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition that Verstappen has been wearingCredit: Tag Heuer
Verstappen went on to win that race – his first Monaco win – and the Dutchman is said to have been ‘inseparable’ from the timepiece ever since.
It certainly seemed to bring him luck on Sunday, with the Red Bull superstar clinching his first ever world title after overtaking rival Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The watch in question is The TAG Heuer Monaco Titan Special Edition.
Originally created in 1969, the watch was worn by Steve McQueen in the 1971 film Le Mans.
Incredibly, one of the versions the legendary actor wore in that movie sold at auction for over $2million.
Verstappen’s version has a titanium case while the chronograph is ultra-light and incredibly strong.
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As a finishing touch, the texture of the leather strap is inspired by the grooves in race tyres.
The watch, which has black subdials, retailed for £6,550 but is now totally sold out.
Frédéric Arnault, TAG Heuer CEO, said: “We are also delighted that the TAG Heuer Monaco we presented to Max a few months ago is continuing to bring him good luck, and that this ‘lucky charm’ has helped him to overall victory in the championship fight.”
Verstappen was confirmed as champion last night despite Mercedes protesting the race result after a controversial finish to the race.
Despite the agonising loss, Hamilton showed his class be shaking Verstappen’s hand at the end of the race, although the Brit driver needed to be consoled by his father.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner celebrated Verstappen’s victory with wife and Spice Girl Geri Horner.
Verstappen pictured wearing the watch following his victoryCredit: Getty More