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Abu Dhabi. — Lewis Hamilton has been denied an eighth World Championship after being overtaken by rival Max Verstappen on the final lap of a thrilling and controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The British driver led the entire race and was in total control after overtaking the Red Bull driver at the first corner of the race, but a controversial safety car gave the Dutchman the opportunity to snatch the title away.
Hamilton appeared to be cruising to an eighth championship, but Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the wall duelling with Haas’ Mick Schumacher with just five laps remaining.
A virtual safety car was initially called and Verstappen and Red Bull used the opportunity to pit and fit fresh soft tyres, while Hamilton had no choice but to keep track position and stay out on his deteriorating hard tyres.
However, a full safety car was subsequently called by Race Control, bunching up the field and all but wiping out Hamilton’s lead.
In controversial circumstances, the safety car left the track with just a single lap remaining, leading to Hamilton and Verstappen fighting for the title over just one trip round the circuit.
The Dutchman overtook Hamilton at turn five and, despite the Brit’s best efforts, held on to win his first World Championship.
Verstappen screamed with elation and was surrounded by his Red Bull pit crew who were waiting on hand when he left the car.
A dejected Hamilton, meanwhile, sat in his Mercedes for several minutes in shock at how events had transpired against him in the final laps.
George Russell, who will join Hamilton at Mercedes next season, led an extensive backlash over the circumstances which allowed Verstappen to dramatically seal the title.
Russell tweeted: ‘THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE!!!!
‘Max is an absolutely fantastic driver who has had an incredible season and I have nothing but huge respect for him, but what just happened is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot believe what we’ve just seen.’
The drama-filled race began from the very first lap when the title rivals nearly collided.
After Hamilton overtook Verstappen on the first corner, the Red Bull driver dived up the inside at Turn Seven and the cars seemed to be level as they touched, with Hamilton forced off track and wide up the escape route, easily retaking the lead.
And when stewards did not tell Hamilton to return the advantage he gained and ruled there was no investigation necessary, the Dutchman and Red Bull team boss Christian Horner reacted angrily.
Verstappen said on team radio: ‘That is incredible. What are they doing here?’
Hamilton was relentless and his lead continued to grow as he appeared on course for a comfortable win.
There was a brief flicker of hope for Verstappen when the broken Alfa Romeo of Antonio Giovinazzi caused a brief Virtual Safety Car phase. Red Bull took the opportunity to reboot Verstappen. It was a final throw of the dice.
When racing resumed, the gap was 18 seconds with 22 laps remaining.
Hamilton appeared worried over his team radio, but put in stellar laps to ensure Verstappen would run out of time to catch him.
In a final twist, though, Latifi crashed outside the W Hotel. A late safety car. Verstappen took the free stop; Hamilton, to his astonishment and nerve-jangling annoyance, didn’t. But time was running out. Would the safety car even come in?
It did. Verstappen powered through at Turn 5, Hamilton helpless on his own rubber with the young new king breathing down his neck. — Dailymail.
Online Reporter