Abu Dhabi GP: Best Moments from Verstappen's maiden F1 win

Dutch driver Max Verstappen made history by winning Formula One world title in a thrilling race on December 12, 2021. He overtook his rival Lewis Hamilton in the last lap in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to earn his first F1 world title. Here are some best moments...

Dutch driver Max Verstappen made history by winning Formula One world title in a thrilling race on December 12, 2021. Credit: Reuters Photo

Max overtook his rival Lewis Hamilton in the last lap in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to earn his first F1 world title. Credit: Reuters Photo

Hamilton looked set to win a record-breaking eighth drivers’ championship as he led Verstappen by 11 seconds with six laps remaining in their winner-takes-all finale, which they started tied on points. Credit: AFP Photo

Verstappen was able to catch Hamilton on fresher tires before overtaking him on the inside at the Turn 5 hairpin. He pulled two seconds clear to win the race and secure the championship by 8 points. Credit: Reuters Photo

Verstappen is the first Dutch Formula One champion. His fight against Hamilton has been one of the most dramatic in recent Formula One history after multiple crashes and close on-track fights between the drivers. Credit: Reuters Photo

It is the closest championship result since 2012, when Sebastian Vettel of Red Bull beat Fernando Alonso of Ferrari by 3 points. Credit: Reuters Photo

The race result was subject to a protest from Mercedes, which claimed that the race director had not followed his own rulebook with the late restart and that the result should have been taken from the penultimate lap when Hamilton was leading. Credit: Reuters Photo

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship. Credit: Reuters Photo

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship with Red Bull's Sergio Perez as team principal Christian Horner looks on. Credit: Reuters Photo

Red Bull's Max Verstappen gets emotional as he celebrates his first F1 win. Credit: Reuters Photo

2021 FIA Formula One World Champion Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates on the podium. Credit: AFP Photo

Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen celebrates in the parc ferme of the Yas Marina Circuit after winning the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix. Credit: AFP Photo

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands kneels next to his car after he became the world champion after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. Credit: AP Photo

Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship on the podium with a Netherlands flag. Credit: Reuters Photo

Lewis Hamilton is seen greeting 2021 FIA Formula One World Champion Red Bull's Dutch driver Max Verstappen post the race. Credit: AFP Photo

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton looks dejected after finishing second in the race and the world championship. Credit: Reuters Photo