Max Verstappen has eventually been able to celebrate his maiden Formula One world championship after two appeals from Mercedes were rejected by race stewards following the Dutchman’s thrilling last-race, last-lap victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Red Bull driver stormed past title rival Lewis Hamilton in the closing stages of Sunday’s season-ending race at the Yas Marina Circuit, having benefited from a late safety car that bunched up the pack.
Hamilton had appeared to be charging to glory, easily holding Verstappen at bay in the closing laps only for a crash for the Williams of Nicholas Latifi to change the course of motor sport history.
Confusion reigned as Australia’s under-fire race director Michael Masi changed his mind to allow lapped cars to pass the safety car, meaning Verstappen had a clear run at Hamilton in the final lap and on much faster tyres.
The Dutchman broke into tears as he crossed the line, professing his love for his team and sitting by his car after bringing it to a stop.
But Mercedes immediately launched two appeals against the result, one against Verstappen for allegedly overtaking under a safety car and a second claiming a breach of rules regarding race restarts following a safety car period.
Both were dismissed after the two teams spent hours in the stewards’ office, Verstappen able to toast his title more than four hours after crossing the finish line.
“It’s unbelievable. I kept fighting the whole race. I had the opportunity in the last lap. It’s incredible, I’m still having a cramp. It’s insane,” Verstappen said afterwards.
Hamilton looked sure to take a record eighth championship after passing pole sitter Verstappen off the line.
The Brit had started alongside his fellow title protagonist on the front row, both on the same amount of points, but was quicker off the mark to lead into turn one.
Verstappen tried to hit back at the hairpin at turn seven as he lunged to try to regain his lead.
Hamilton went off the track as a result, rejoining after having missed the turn, but it was deemed he had no penalty to answer.
Hamilton then dominated but did not have it all his own way as he came into the pits on lap 15 to avoid being undercut by Verstappen and emerged behind the sister Red Bull of Sergio Perez, who held him up brilliantly, costing Hamilton over six seconds and allowing Verstappen to close in.
Once past, though, Hamilton rebuilt his gap until a virtual safety car was deployed to clear the stricken Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi, with Verstappen pitting for fresh tyres as Hamilton stayed out.
Hamilton was still untouchable, Red Bull boss Christian Horner admitting the team needed a “miracle” with the gap at 11 seconds with 10 laps remaining.
And a miracle is exactly what Red Bull got as Latifi crashed into the barriers and brought out a safety car with just five laps remaining, Verstappen stopping for a third time and strapping on more new tyres.
Time, however, appeared to be on Hamilton’s side as the laps ticked down behind the safety car and Masi opted to keep the five lapped cars between the leader and Verstappen in place.
He then changed tact, sending the quintet past Hamilton and the safety car meaning there was nothing between the title rivals as the pace car peeled off with just a single lap remaining.
Verstappen was ready to pounce and swept past on his newer tyres, although Hamilton did battle back until he had nothing left to give.
As the unbelievable action unfolded on track, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff fumed at Masi over the radio for his change in decision but it was ultimately all to no avail.
AAP
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