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Motorsport

Max Verstappen wins Formula 1 championship in controversial Abu Dhabi finale

Alexander Netherton
Max Verstappen wins Formula 1 championship in controversial Abu Dhabi finaleGetty
It is the Dutchman's first ever F1 championship.

Max Verstappen won the Formula 1 championship in hugely controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi.

Verstappen had the lead on the grid from the off, but instantly lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the start. The pair of them began on 369.5 points each.

That led to the first controversy as Hamilton went wide to avoid the Dutchman, but retained the lead in the process. 

The Briton then gave up his advantage in terms of time, but not track position, and it appeared that the champion would retain his trophy as he pulled away from the pack.

Under a virtual yellow car midway through the match, Vertsappen was given the chance to pit, denied to Hamilton, who would have lost track position if he did the same.

The seven-time winner looked set to hold onto his lead despite his lack of tyre advantage, only for a crash to lead to a real safety car, allowing Verstappen to have another change of tires which Hamilton again could not quite pull off without dropping down the pack.

The race director then controversially allowed the lapped cars to get out of the way, giving Verstappen one final lap to take the lead, the race and the championship.

Mercedes may yet appeal the result over the re-start decision, meaning there could be days of litigation and argument to come yet.

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