Red Bull’s Max Verstappen Claims the F1 Title in a Drama‑Full Finale
Why the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Was Anything But Ordinary
Picture the engine roars, the weather shifting, and a safety‑car wave that could have turned the finish line into a soap‑opera cliffhanger. This was the scene on Sunday, Dec 12, as Max Verstappen took the last‑lap swoop that snatched the Drivers’ Championship from a would‑be record‑breaking Lewis Hamilton.
Highlights That Made You Scrunch Your Eyebrows
- Qualifying: Max started on pole, already setting the tone for a sensational race.
- First‑turn chaos saw the Dutchman lose the lead—just when you think the race was put together.
- Safety‑car bunched up the field; the race director pushed the boundaries, giving a shove that carved the race’s turning point.
- Final lap hustle: a last‑second overtaking that could only be described as pure F1 magic.
Verstappen’s Reaction – “It’s Insane!”
“This is unbelievable, guys! Can we do this for another 10‑15 years together?” he yelled on the radio. His emotional sprint to the win was as loud as the engines, and he came to the podium with a grin that could melt the most hardened critic.
Mercedes: Champions Yet Double Chaos
- The #Mercedes team secured the Constructress’ title, marking an unprecedented eighth straight year.
- Despite this remarkable streak, the 24‑year‑old Dutch champion’s triumph ended their double dominance banner.
- Two post‑race protests were thrown out, but Mercedes insists they’re not baking it away: “We’re filing an appeal,” said a Mercedes rep.
Christian Horner’s Ultimate Miracle
The Red Bull boss chimed in during the race, “We needed a bit of luck and we got it.” He called the win the greatest moment ever for Red Bull, reinforcing that the thrill you felt was the pulse of a team that never stopped dreaming.
Key Takeaway
What a finale! From a safety‑car shuffle to a last‑lap dash, Max Verstappen valiantly snatched the title, while the classic showdown between Verstappen and Hamilton continued to climax in Ray‑mour‑squeen drama for fans worldwide.
No collision
Yas Marina Showdown Leaves Fans in Chaos
What was supposed to be a tidy finish turned into a cliff‑hanger that has everyone talking for weeks. Verstappen, still riding a wave of fresh, faster tyres, – thanks to a clever pit‑stop strategy – caught Hamilton right on the last lap and pulled off a win that left the title race swinging in a new direction.
The Safety Car Stir
After Canadian driver Nick Latifi crashed his Williams with five laps to go, the safety car slipped onto the track. The race director, Masi, didn’t call for all the lapped cars to clear the field before restarting, a decision that sparked a firestorm of debate among the Mercedes crew.
Toto Wolff shouted over the radio, “Michael, this isn’t right!” as the stewards could have handed Hamilton the championship with a quiet finish behind the safety car. Instead, the cars were sent back into a neck–and‑neck sprint that had everyone on the edge of their seats.
Why It Was Lit‑Up
- Verstappen’s fresh tyres gave him the edge to close on Hamilton.
- The race director’s call to let the cars go back to racing rather than tow it out meant a high‑speed finish.
- Mercedes’ management come down on the decision, feeling that Hamilton was “robbed”.
- The audience’s reaction was split: some felt the race was unfair, others cheered the thrilling chaos.
“We were screaming at the end to let them race…”
Horner of Honda (now leaving the sport) summed up the atmosphere: “It is unheard of to leave the cars un‑lapped. They wanted to get the race going again, and they absolutely made the right call.”
Championship Cheers
Hamilton, who had been chasing a fourth consecutive win, lifted his hand over a new champion’s lap. “I think we did an amazing job this year,” he said, clinging to the pride of his team. “Everyone at the factory, all the men and women we have… we worked so hard this whole year.”
He added, “It’s been the most difficult of seasons, but I’m so proud of them, so grateful to be a part of the journey with them. We gave it everything in this last part of the season and never gave up—that’s the most important thing.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen’s crew burst into tears of triumph. The moment was a rollercoaster of emotion: joy, relief, and a grain of hope that maybe, just maybe, the future holds even more drama on the grid.
More poles
Verstappen’s Season Finale: Red Bull Ruled the Road
In a dramatic close‑call, Dutch sensation Max Verstappen finished the year on top, snatching a record‑setting 10 victories out of 22 races. The reigning champion left Lewis Hamilton slightly behind with eight wins, and on top of that, Verstappen stole more laps, poles, and podiums.
Points Show the Big Picture
- Verstappen: 395.5 points
- Hamilton: 387.5 points
- Mercedes (team): 613.5 points
- Red Bull (team): 585.5 points
Who’s Who on the Final Circuit?
- Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz came home third.
- AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda snagged fourth place.
- Team‑mate Pierre Gasly took fifth.
- Lewis’s teammate Valtteri Bottas finished sixth in his farewell run for Mercedes.
- Lando Norris (McLaren) roared behind, with Esteban Ocon and Fernando Alonso (Alpine) occupying the 7 th and 8 th spots.
- Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc sealed the season’s final point, keeping the Italian squad in third overall.
The “Legend” That Took a Spin
In a side‑story worth its weight in gold, Verstappen’s Mexican co‑star Sergio Perez earned a celebrity nod from the Dutchman after dropping Hamilton late in the race. The “legend” had to retire in the pits after getting caught up in a tangled turn.
First‑Day Drama & The Stewards’ Dilemma
The opening lap was a circus: Verstappen and Hamilton nearly collided after Lewis claimed the first lead. The Brit tried to trade the corner but was nudged onto the wrong side, leaving him wide and still ahead of Verstappen. While the Dutchman dove in from the inside, the stewards called it a “no‑investigation needed” routine.
Jack Horner vented on Sky Sports from the pit lane, calling the decision a “total lack of consistency.” He warned the team that they’d have to “do it the hard way” to fight back on the track.
Red Bull’s Chart‑Topper
All in all, the season concluded with Max’s unstoppable drive securing the championship, Red Bull’s total points higher than Mercedes, and a finale that left fans cheering and the track buzzing with “what‑if” moments.
