Verstappen thrilled at “insane” F1 title win

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship - Reuters

ABU DHABI (AFP): An emotional Max Verstappen described his journey to 2021 Formula One world champion as “insane” after he beat rival Lewis Hamilton in a last lap sprint for victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

“It’s just insane,” he said. 

“My goal when I was little was to be a Formula One driver. You dream of podiums and victories. But when they tell you that you are world champion, it’s incredible.” 

Verstappen and Hamilton went into the last race level on points and it appeared that the Mercedes driver was going to hang on to win an eighth world title.

The intervention of a safety car four laps from the end, however, gave Verstappen the chance to take on Hamilton in a thrilling last lap charge to the line.

“It’s unbelievable,” said the 24-year-old Verstappen.

“Throughout the whole race I kept fighting then there was the opportunity in the last lap, it’s incredible.

“I don’t know what to say. My team and Honda deserve it.”  Verstappen also thanked his teammate Sergio Perez, who played a key part in the win, and his Red Bull team.

Hamilton’s Mercedes team won the constructors’ title for an unprecedented eighth successive year but Verstappen, 24, made sure it was not another double. The season-ending race started and ended with an argument – tears of joy on one side and rage on the other, Mercedes furious with Race Director Michael Masi as the drivers’ title disappeared so close to the chequered flag.

Red Bull had said they needed a miracle to win as Hamilton headed towards the title and a late safety car intervention provided just that opportunity.

With one racing lap to the finish and the Dutch driver on fresher tyres, Verstappen hunted down Hamilton and made the move.

Verstappen ended the season with 10 wins to Hamilton’s eight, having also led more laps and taken more poles and podiums.

Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz finished the race in third place.