Max Verstappen Wins 2021 Formula One World Championship In Thrilling Finale

Max Verstappen has won the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and 2021 Formula One World Championship in one of the most dramatic finales you'll ever see.

The 24-year-old knew he had to beat Lewis Hamilton in the United Arab Emirates, having nine victories to eight at the start of play.

Verstappen was bullish prior to the start of the race, telling fans back in his native Netherlands he would be winning.

Hamilton's run of three in a row in Sau Paulo, Qatar and Saudi Arabia ensured a thrilling last race.

It all came down to a crash from Nicholas Latifi which saw a safety car introduced late on.

Hamilton had been on the same tyres since lap 14 and Verstappen had fresh tyres introduced late on in the race.

The safety car allowed one final lap of racing and Verstappen's fresh tyres proved to make the difference.

Despite Hamilton getting into the slipstream, Verstappen managed to block it off and take home the win and his first championship.

Hamilton came close to winning his eighth world championship which would've seen him overtake Michael Schumacher's record of seven.

The 36-year-old told Sky Sports he'll be back stronger next campaign.

Topics: Formula One, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen

Daniel Marland

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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