Max Verstappen won the most dramatic of races in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to win his first world title. Thereby, denying Lewis Hamilton the chance to break Michael Schumacher’s Drivers’ Championship record.
With six laps to go, it appeared that Hamilton was home and dry. Verstappen was 11 seconds behind him, albeit on fresher tires.
When Nicholas Latifi slammed his Williams car into the barriers, the championship race blew wide open. Thus, necessitating the use of a safety car to slow the rest of the cars down so the stewards could clean the circuit.
While everyone else was slowing down, Verstappen took advantage of the opportunity to change to new tires. Hence, giving him more grip and speed when the race resumed.
Hamilton did not stop for new tires. It would have put him in second place when he returned to the course.
Mercedes chose to keep their driver following the safety car around the track as the laps passed because it was unclear whether the race would resume.
The FIA initially ordered unlapped cars to stay in their spots. This, meaning Verstappen and Hamilton were separated by three cars.
However, the director did a stunning U-turn. Hence, causing the field to clump together and allowing Verstappen to get into second place.
With one lap remaining, the race resumed. Then, Verstappen took advantage of his newer tires to make a daring drive around Hamilton.
Verstappen held off Hamilton’s counter-attack to take the lead and cross the finish line first.
Max Verstappen delivered Hamilton a classy message after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix race.
He said: “Lewis is an amazing driver, an amazing competitor.
“They made it really really hard for us. The two teams went against each other and we had some tough times but that’s part of sport and the emotion, everyone wants to win.
“It could have gone either way today and next year we’ll come back and try it all over again.”
Speaking on the late controversy, former world champion Nico Rosberg says; “First they said they’re not allowed to un-lap themselves. Then they changed their message once they saw that the track was safe to do so.
“But the thing is, in the written document all cars will be required to un-lap themselves, and yet they only let those five cars that were between Lewis and Verstappen un-lap themselves, the others not.
“That’s why Mercedes are thinking, is that ok?
“I guess it’s just going to be in the end Michael Masi can decide what he wants, he’s the director. He wants to go racing, they go racing, in a safe way, and they did that.”