Picture Credit: Twitter/@F1
What an extraordinary season of Formula One just came to an end. It was fitting that it witnessed a thrilling end otherwise it would have been an anti-climax after a season that had every ingredient of a mega-blockbuster- drama, action, thrill, tears of joy at one end, and sorrow on the other.
While seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was in the lead for the majority of the race, when it mattered the most, Max Verstappen had the most perfect strategy which worked on the big night and he eventually won the race and with it his maiden world championship title.
Notably, Verstappen slipped into the lead in the final lap in dramatic fashion, courtesy of his soft tyres through which he took the lead at Turn 5. Although Hamilton almost managed to regain the advantage at Turn 9, it wasn't to be as his Dutch rival kept his best for the last decisive lap and remained at the top for the rest of the lap to clinch the season-ending Abu Dhabi GP at the Yas Marina Circuit and also win his maiden world championship title.
Here is the video of the last decisive lap:
Such were the emotions that while Red Bull racing camp including Verstappen himself had tears, Hamilton was too stunned to even come of out of the car for a while.
"It's unbelievable. Throughout the whole race I kept fighting and to have an opportunity on the last lap, it's incredible. I'm still having cramps. It's insane. I don't know what to say. My team and Honda, they deserve it. I love them so much and I really really enjoy working with them," the 24-year-old winner said.
"This year has been incredible. Finally a bit of luck for me. I also need to say a big thank you to Checo. He was driving his heart out today, it was great teamwork and he's an amazing teammate. My team know I love them and I hope we can do this for 10-15 years together. There's no reason to change ever, I want to stay with them for the rest of my life. I hope they let me," he added.