Verstappen wins F1 title in controversial ending
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – The most dramatic Formula One season in years should have ended with Max Verstappen’s championship-deciding pass of Lewis Hamilton on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The conclusion instead came nearly five hours after Verstappen became the first Dutch champion in F1 history, when the FIA denied a pair of protests lodged by Mercedes over the controversial finish of Sunday’s race.
But the messy affair still isn’t over: Mercedes filed for reconsideration to the International Court of Appeal, turning in the paperwork as Hamilton left Yas Marina Circuit without commenting.
“Not much really to say about that. I think it also sums up a little bit the season,” Verstappen said hours earlier as the
FIA heard Mercedes’ two protests.
Hamilton had a record eighth championship ripped away with five laps remaining when a crash by Nicholas Latifi triggered the safety car and gave race director Michael Masi a decision. The seasonending race and championship could be decided under yellow, or, the track could be cleaned for one final lap of racing.
Hamilton had been on cruise control and dominated Sunday after surging past pole-sitter Verstappen at the start. He led 51 of the 58 laps and was minutes away from breaking a tie with Michael Schumacher for an eighth title that would strengthen his case as best in F1 history.
The decision by Masi to go green with a lap to go allowed Verstappen to pass Hamilton in turn five – Hamilton got a good look at the lead in turn nine but couldn’t complete the move – in a stunning conclusion to a title fight that will go down as one of the best ever.