Verstappen wants to race with Red Bull for ‘rest of his life’ after dramatic world title win
Follow all the latest F1 news and reaction to Max Verstappen’s dramatic and controversial world title win in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Verstappen went into the final race of the season tied on points with Lewis Hamilton, and it was the British Mercedes driver who seemed on course to win a record eighth world title as he streaked into the lead with only a few laps remaining. But the crash of back marker Nicholas Latifi changed the course of history, bringing out the safety car and allowing Verstappen not only to close the gap but to put on fresh tyres.
When the safety car exited the track it left Verstappen and Hamilton to fight out a one-lap shootout for the title, and the Red Bull driver pulled off a bold overtake early in the lap before holding on to win the race and the Formula 1 crown.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was furious, and his team put in protests against the result based on the controversial way the race director Michael Masi effectively forced the late drama rather than sticking to the letter of the law in safety car procedure. However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner branded the appeals “desperate” after they were thrown out by the FIA.
Follow all the latest reaction from a thrilling finale to the F1 season:
F1 news: Verstappen confirmed as champion after Mercedes protest dismissed
The drama was not done there, with Verstappen facing an agonising four-hour wait as Mercedes launched two protests to the FIA and summoned the help of their legal counsel. It wasn’t until close to 11pm local time that Verstappen’s championship was confirmed, and the relief in the Red Bull garage was evident.
Mercedes have lodged notice of intention of appeal – which gives the team 92 hours to formally submit a second protest of the race.
We were told before the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that Formula One wanted the title race to be settled on the track and not in the stewards’ room – but with more legal action expected to come, it’s already too late for that now.
Jamie Braidwood13 December 2021 08:14
F1 news: How the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was won
Controversial, thrilling, unpredictable – the final race of the Formula One season and the closing chapter of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton’s title race lived up to the drama of what has been one of the greatest seasons in the history of the sport. In perhaps the most spectacular finish to a Formula One season ever, Verstappen passed Hamilton on the final lap of to claim a first world championship – but in hugely controversial circumstances.
Jamie Braidwood13 December 2021 08:11
F1 news
Follow all the latest F1 news and reaction to Max Verstappen’s dramatic and controversial world title win in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.
Verstappen went into the final race of the season tied on points with Lewis Hamilton, and it was the British Mercedes driver who seemed on course to win a record eighth world title as he streaked into the lead with only a few laps remaining. But the crash of back marker Nicholas Latifi changed the course of history, bringing out the safety car and allowing Verstappen not only to close the gap but to put on fresh tyres.
When the safety car exited the track it left Verstappen and Hamilton to fight out a one-lap shootout for the title, and the Red Bull driver pulled off a bold overtake early in the lap before holding on to win the race and the Formula 1 crown.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was furious, and his team put in protests against the result based on the controversial way the race director Michael Masi effectively forced the late drama rather than sticking to the letter of the law in safety car procedure. However, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner branded the appeals “desperate” after they were thrown out by the FIA.
Lawrence Ostlere13 December 2021 08:01