Verstappen wins maiden F1 world title

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen seized his first Formula 1 World Championship with a dramatic final lap victory over Lewis Hamilton, in a contentious climax to their season-long title duel in Abu Dhabi


FINAL STANDINGS
Max Verstappen	395.5 points 
Lewis Hamilton
387.5 points

Dutch courage
Verstappen becomes first Dutch world champion – Netherlands is 15th nation to celebrate F1 driver’s title

Proud prodigy
Fourth youngest champion in F1 history after Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso

Power of dreams
First champion with Honda powered car since Ayrton Senna in 1991

Team spirit: Verstappen victory gives Red Bull fifth driver’s championship title, after four successive crowns for Vettel (2010-13)

Chequered flag
Ten Grands Prix wins in 2021 season – including home race at Circuit Zandvoort in September


F1 DRIVER WORLD CHAMPIONS BY COUNTRY

Britain 20 
Germany 12
Brazil 8
Argentina 5
Australia 4
Austria 4
France 4
Finland 4
Italy 3
Two each: United States, Spain 2
One each: New Zealand, S. Africa, Canada, Netherlands 1

Total 34 drivers


Verstappen’s crown leaves rival Lewis Hamilton still aiming to surpass record of Michael Schumacher with his eighth Formula 1 championship title


Source: F1
Pictures: Getty Images 
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