The title would have been an eighth record for Hamilton.
The Dutch world champion needed luck having been behind Hamilton throughout the race.
The race ended with a grueling final lap after a safety car intervened to deal with a Nicholas Latifi crash and Verstappen changed his tires.
ON THE LAST TURN.
Max Verstappen wins his FIRST Formula 1 championship#AbouDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/qlWX9yGvAG
– Sports section (@SportsSection) 12 December 2021
He and leader Hamilton had a head-to-head race on the final lap which saw Verstappen take first place.
After the race Verstappen said: “It’s crazy. I don’t know what to say. I’m so happy for the team and for all these guys.
“I love working with them so much. Well today I was a bit lucky. My team knows I love them and I want to do that with them for the next 10 or 15 years!”
Hamilton (AP)
Hamilton said: “Congratulations to Max and his team. I think we have done an incredible job this year.
“Everyone at the factory and here has worked so hard during this most difficult season. I’m so proud of them and so grateful to be a part of the journey with them.
“We gave it our all this last part of the season, we never gave up.”
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Source: www.times-series.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-12-12 14:51:30
