FROM THE ENCOUNTER TO ABU DHABI. Max Verstappen is the new Formula 1 world champion. The craziest and most balanced season in the history of Formula 1 is decided on the last lap. After 22 Grands Prix, the last 5 kilometers decide who is the strongest. The ending is like a Hollywood movie, where the parts are reversed and the protagonist who seems destined to defeat has a stroke of luck, a burst of pride or a decisive unexpected event that gives him victory. Less than an hour from the end of the race, the Mercedes team has officially contested the result. The appeal, in particular, concerns what happened during the safety car regime after which Verstappen, on the last lap, overtook the British.
Formula 1, Verstappen’s victory is celebrated in the pits of Red Bull by singing “We are the champions”
The race
Lewis Hamilton takes the lead, resists Verstappen’s ferocious attack on lap one and controls the race. It seems that there is nothing more to be done for the rival: he only has to manage a ten-second advantage to put an end to it, but with 5 laps to go, here is the story: Latifi, one of the less representative drivers to tread the F1 circuits, it goes to the wall without a reason. The safety car enters and at that point the film, pardon the championship, has two possible endings: if the track staff fail to clean up in time, Hamilton will cross the finish line and be champion behind the safety car. Conversely, Verstappen (who has just put on new soft tires) will make the easiest of his many overtakes.
Such a perfect film cannot end without a final duel: Latifi’s Williams is hastily removed and Verstappen has one last lap at his disposal: he points Hamilton, overtakes him and crosses the finish line in tears.
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After a liberating scream and a hug to Kelly, daughter of three-time champion Nelson Piquet, and to dad Jos, also a former F1 driver, he tells about that tangle of emotions that he will have time to unravel. «It’s incredible, I was looking for an overtaking opportunity throughout the race and I got it on the last lap. I even have a cramp. It’s crazy I don’t know what to say, I love the guys on the team, they deserve this result ». The Red Bull team principal hoped for a miracle in the final. «Yes, it took a bit of luck for me too – agrees Max -. Thanks to Ceco (his teammate Sergio Perez who slowed down Hamilton for a long time, ed) -. It was extraordinary. This championship will go down in history as one of the best of all time, and I hope to stay in this team for the next 10-15 years, if they allow me to do so ».
With a sporting gesture, after having remained paralyzed inside the car for five minutes, Hamilton went to congratulate the new world champion who interrupts his streak (Lewis has won the last 4 titles): «Congratulations to Max. we have had a fantastic season, especially in the last two months ».
Mercedes wins the constructors’ title. Third place for Ferrari thanks also to the podium of Carlos Sainz: «I’m happy to end my first season in red in this way. I’m happy for Max, we raced together in Toro Rosso. His victory will inspire me ».
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