Verstappen wins first F1 title amid controversy

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP):

The most dramatic Formula One (F1) 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 the race yesterday.

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 season-ending 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 yesterday 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.

Verstappen and Hamilton arrived in Abu Dhabi tied in the standings after 21 races across four continents, the first time since 1974 the contenders were level ahead of the finale. The rivals went wheel-to-wheel all season, crashing three times, with Verstappen sent to the hospital after a collision at Silverstone.

It made for a bitter feud between Mercedes and Red Bull that intensified this high-stakes and sometimes chaotic title fight. It was compelling action every week, on-and-off track drama likened to the epic championship battles of James Hunt and Niki Lauda in 1976, and Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in 1990.

Hamilton, winner of three straight races coming into the finale to even the fight, had this one in hand and knew it until the Latifi crash. Whatever Hamilton said over his radio when Latifi brought out the safety car was replayed only as one long bleep to cover his expletives.

Masi controversially settled to resume racing with one final lap — the only chance for Red Bull, which lobbied to go back to green. Verstappen chased Hamilton through the first four turns, made his pass in five and at last achieved his childhood dream.

Verstappen and Red Bull celebrated in a champagne soak, he received hugs from his fellow competitors — including Hamilton and Hamilton’s father — and made his way to the DJ stand to jump wildly up and down to the music. The “Orange Army” of Dutch fans erupted in joy and fired off their traditional orange flares. The fans also chanted Latifi’s name in appreciation as they exited the circuit.

“My goal when I was little was to become a Formula One driver and to go for wins, to be on the podium,” Verstappen said. “When they play the national anthem, you want it to be yours, and when you stand here and they tell you that you are the world champion, it’s something incredible and special.”

And that was how this gripping season ended, with the more dominant team atop the final podium.

Hamilton did not participate in the post-race news conference with Verstappen and third-place finisher Carlos Sainz. He did one interview before the victory podium and congratulated Verstappen and Red Bull.

He praised the effort of Mercedes.

Red Bull won its first F1 title since 2013; Mercedes had won every championship since.

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix result:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 26

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 18

3. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 15

4. Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) 12

5. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 10

6. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 8

7. Lando Norris (McLaren) 6

8. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 4

9. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) 2

10. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 1

F1 Driver Championship result:

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 395.5

2. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 387.5

3. Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 226

4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 190

5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 164.5

6. Landon Norris (McLaren) 160

7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 159

8. Daniel Ricciardo (McLaren) 115

9. Pierre Gasly (AlphaTauri) 110

10. Fernando Alonso (Alpine) 81

F1 Constructor Championship result:

1. Mercedes 613.5

2. Red Bull 585.5

3. Ferrari 323.5

4. McLaren 275

5. Alpine 155

6. AlphaTauri 142

7. Aston Martin 77

8. Williams 23

9. Alfa Romeo 13

10. Haas 0