Max Verstappen of RedBull Honda claimed the 2021 Formula One Championship in a thrilling final lap drama.
After a late-race safety car was brought out due to an incident involving Williams’ Nicholas Latifi, Verstappen passed Hamilton (Mercedes) for the lead on the final lap. In the most dramatic of season finales, he stormed to victory to cap a very remarkable F1 season.
Verstappen is the first Dutch world champion and the 34th overall in the sport’s history, which dates back to 1950.
“The whole race I kept fighting and of course that opportunity in the last lap… it’s incredible. It’s insane. These guys here, my team, Honda… they deserve it. I love them so much. This year has been incredible” said Max Verstappen.
After a tense 22-race battle with defending champion Lewis Hamilton, the 24-year-old earned his first title in his seventh Formula One season with a spectacular victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
Courtesy: RedBull/Honda
