Iran Press/ Middle East: Max Verstappen has become Formula 1 world champion for the first time after an extraordinary, controversial finish to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which saw him overtake Lewis Hamilton on the final lap after a dramatic late Safety Car, Sky Sports reported.
Hamilton appeared to be heading for his record eighth crown after overtaking the pole-sitting Verstappen at the start but a crash for Nicholas Latifi in the Williams brought out the Safety Car with five laps to go and created all manner of drama to end an incredible season.
Red Bull pitted Verstappen for new soft tires, while Hamilton stayed out in the lead on his older set.
While there were initially five lapped cars between them in the queue behind the Safety Car, Race Control instructed those to join the back of the pack on the penultimate tour and that recreated the Hamilton-Verstappen one-two in the queue for a final-lap restart.
Amid protestations from an angry Mercedes pit wall, the race resumed on the 58th and final lap of the race - and gripping season - and Verstappen overtook Hamilton down the inside at Turn Five to take the win and the crown away from his Mercedes rival.
Verstappen becomes the first Dutchman to win the title and the second for Red Bull after Sebastian Vettel.
"It's unbelievable," said a disbelieving Verstappen. "Throughout the whole race I kept fighting and to have an opportunity on the last lap, it's incredible. I'm having cramp. It's insane."
Despite the huge disappointment of the stunning late turnaround just as he appeared on the cusp of history, Hamilton sportingly went straight to congratulate Verstappen in parc ferme.
Hamilton had hoped to become the sport's eight-time world champion but remains tied with Michael Schumacher on seven for now.
Mercedes still clinched a record-extending eighth consecutive Constructors' Championship from Red Bull, but that impressive achievement is likely to offer little solace in the immediate aftermath of Sunday's remarkable finish.
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