Verstappen claims maiden F1 championship in drama-packed finale

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Max Verstappen has ripped a grounds eighth rubric distant from Lewis Hamilton with a walk connected the last thigh of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to adjacent 1 of the astir thrilling Formula One seasons successful years arsenic the archetypal Dutch satellite champion.

Hamilton was cruising past Michael Schumacher's grounds of 7 titles connected Sunday successful a contention helium controlled until Nicholas Latifi crashed with 5 laps remaining.

F1 sent retired the information car for a cleanup and resumed the contention with 1 thigh remaining. Red Bull seized the accidental to enactment faster, brushed tyres connected Verstappen's car, giving him the vantage successful a final-lap shootout.

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Red Bull won its archetypal F1 rubric since 2013; Mercedes had won each title since. (Getty)

Hamilton and Verstappen started side-by-side for 1 last travel astir Yas Marina Circuit and the British operator surged to the lead.

Verstappen stalked him done the archetypal 4 turns past made his walk successful crook 5 and pulled distant successful his Red Bull.

It was a fitting extremity to a play that saw the 2 contenders spell wheel-to-wheel implicit 22 races spanning 4 continents and get successful Abu Dhabi tied successful the title standings. It marked the archetypal clip the contenders were adjacent astatine the play finale since 1974.

Race victor and 2021 champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing is congratulated by runner up successful the contention and title Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images) (Getty)

But Hamilton had the contention good nether power until the Latifi crash.

Red Bull brag Christian Horner astatine 1 signifier adjacent admitted "we request a miracle".

"Oh my God!" Verstappen screamed implicit his vigor arsenic helium passed the chequered flag.

"You are the satellite champion! The satellite champion!" Horner screamed back.

"Let's bash this for different 10 oregon 15 years!" Verstappen replied.

Red Bull won its archetypal F1 rubric since 2013; Mercedes had won each title since.

Red Bull operator Max Verstappen celebrates connected the podium. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, Pool) (AP)

Multiple rival drivers headed to the grid to congratulate Verstappen arsenic Hamilton sat motionless wrong his Mercedes.

The decision ended his reign of 4 consecutive titles and denied Hamilton a accidental to walk Schumacher arsenic champion all-time successful F1.

"Congratulations to Max and to his team, I deliberation helium did an astonishing occupation this year," Hamilton said to adjacent what had go a bitter rivalry this play betwixt Mercedes and Red Bull.

Hamilton received a agelong hug successful the store from his father, who past went to the store and hugged some Verstappen and Verstappen's father.

Jos Verstappen was himself a erstwhile F1 operator and raised his 24-year-old lad to go a satellite champion.

Mission accomplished.

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