Sir Lewis Hamilton has failed in his bid to win a record eighth F1 world title after a last-lap drama in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After leading for almost all of the race, the 36-year-old British driver was overtaken on the final lap by championship rival Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances.
It means Red Bull’s Verstappen took his first-ever Formula 1 world title in the season-ending GP.
Verstappen is the new Formula 1 world champion. Pic: AP
Reacting to his championship victory, Verstappen, 24, called it “unbelievable” and “insane”.
He added: “Finally a bit of luck for me. It was great teamwork.
“My team know that I love them and there’s no need to change ever. I want to stay with them for the rest of my life.”
Mercedes driver Hamilton looked on course for his eighth world title, but after a safety car came on the track to deal with a Nicholas Latifi crash towards the end, Verstappen lying in second was given a reprieve.
The Dutchman changed his tyres during the delay and, after lapped cars were allowed to clear the safety car, he and leader Hamilton had a final-lap race in which Verstappen prevailed after overtaking Hamilton going into turn five and holding him off to the chequered flag.
Hamilton said: “Firstly congratulations to Max and to his team. I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone back at the factory, have worked so hard this whole year, it’s been the most difficult of seasons.
“I’m so proud of them and I’m so grateful to be a part of the journey with them.
“This last part of the season we gave it absolutely everything and we never gave up.”
The pair head into the final race of the year level on points with 369.5 each and were on the front row at the Yas Marina Circuit with Verstappen on pole.
But Hamilton was quicker off the line and led into turn one.
At turn seven, Verstappen lunged to try and regain his lead.
Hamilton went off the track as a result, rejoining having missed the turn but race officials deemed he had no penalty to answer for.
Lewis Hamilton in action at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Following the near-miss, Hamilton scampered down the road and started to extend his lead but he did not have it all his own way during the race.
The Briton came into the pits on lap 15 to avoid being undercut by Verstappen but emerged behind the Red Bull of Sergio Perez – who was given instructions to hold up Hamilton.
Hamilton pictured before the Abu Dhabi GP
The Mexican did just that, costing Hamilton over six seconds as the tussled for the lead, Verstappen closing in and praising his team-mate as a “legend” over the radio.
Hamilton is the joint-record holder for world championship titles, tied on seven with retired German legend Michael Schumacher.
Hamilton won the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix last Sunday, tying with Verstappen in championship points for the season and setting up a title showdown in the final race of the season.