Abu Dhabi GP Live: Max Verstappen becomes new F1 champion - Live Updates, Results
Lewis Hamilton led the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP for almost the whole race, till Max Verstappen overtook him on the final lap.
Lewis Hamilton overtakes Max Verstappen on the first corner of the Abu Dhabi GP (Getty)
The Formula One title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP got off to a sensational start on Sunday, with second-placed Lewis Hamilton and first-placed Max Verstappen almost coming together at the first corner before the British driver pulled ahead of the German. Kimi Raikkonen ended the final race of his career bowing out at Lap 28. Hamilton led the race throughout but Verstappen pulled off one of the most incredible finishes to an F1 season - overtaking Hamilton on the last lap.
Verstappen has become the F1 World Champion for the first time, ending Hamilton's reign. Verstappen and Hamilton headed into Sunday's finale tied in the championship standings, the first time the title contenders are even going into the deciding race since 1974.
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2021 - Max Verstappen (Netherlands), Red Bull
2020 - Lewis Hamilton (Britain), Mercedes
2019 - Hamilton, Mercedes
2018 - Hamilton, Mercedes
2017 - Hamilton, Mercedes
2016 - Nico Rosberg (Germany) Mercedes
2015 - Hamilton, Mercedes
2014 - Hamilton, Mercedes
2013 - Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Red Bull
2012 - Vettel, Red Bull
2011 - Vettel, Red Bull
2010 - Vettel, Red Bull
2009 - Jenson Button (Britain) Brawn
2008 - Hamilton, McLaren
2007 - Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) Ferrari
2006 - Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault
2005 - Alonso, Renault
2004 - Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari
2003 - Schumacher, Ferrari
2002 - Schumacher, Ferrari
2001 - Schumacher, Ferrari
2000 - Schumacher, Ferrari
'I kept fighting. That opportunity in the last lap, it was insane. I feel like crying,' says the new F1 world champion as he speaks to the camera for the first time.
'Checo is an amazing teammate,' he says of Sergio Perez, who helped slow Hamilton down by around 5 seconds earlier in the race.
Insane finish to an insane race! Verstappen finishes ahead of Hamilton! That is surely one of the most incredible finishes to an F1 season. Verstappen is whooping in delight. Hamilton has not uttered a word so far. Surely that is not the last we have heard of this.
Hamilton overtook Verstappen on Lap 1 and led the race throughout - till a final twist of fate in the final lap. Latifi's crash gave Verstappen a chance to get soft tyres for the last lap. And he did the impossible! He overtook Hamilton on the last lap to dethrone the world champion. Hamilton's F1 reign ends.
Max Verstappen is the new F1 World Champion!
One final lap. Hamilton and Verstappen shoot off the blocks. The crowd roars! Verstappen overtakes Hamilton in the last lap! Unbelievable! Last 2 miles remaining! What a finish!
Hamilton increases his lead to 13.267s from Max Verstappen. A top race to finish for the 7-time champion. Lewis Hamilton looks set to retain his crown. Mercedes look set to win.
But now, with 5 laps left, is there one final twist in the tail? The safety car is brought out as Latifi crashes. Verstappen pits to get on softs - that's his last chance! Hamilton still on hard tyres with the last few laps left.
Perez held up Hamilton up long enough to reduce an 8.5 second gap to less than 4 seconds! A sure nominee for teammate of the year as Verstappen seeks to end Hamilton reign. Hamilton sets a fastest lap to take his lead above four seconds on Lap 30. On Lap 32, Hamilton’s lead creeps towards five seconds.
In his final career F1 start, Kimi Raikkonen has brake issues. He slid off course and kissed the tire barrier. And it's over. Kimi retires from the race. One of the longest careers in Formula 1 comes to an end. The last world champion in Ferrari's red - it's the end of an era today.
The Verstappen-Hamilton battle is heating up at the front end, meanwhile:
Hamilton may have had the better start, but Verstappen's Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez is doing some great work for his team. Holds off Hamilton, who remains the race leader, for a while before taking his pitstop. Verstappen is now in third.
Did Hamilton cut the corner as he overtook Verstappen to take the early lead in the season-deciding race? That has been the big question from the first few laps of the race.
On Lap 14, Verstappen pits. That could be his sole stop of the race. He’s fifth as he rejoins the pack. Lewis Hamilton leading the race at this point and in line to defend his crown.
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