Dylan Bettencourt
In what has undoubtedly been the most dramatic year in Formula 1 history, the championship went down to the last lap of the last race of the season.
Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had an entire year with the championship lead going back and forth.
Verstappen came out on top in controversial fashion after a safety car in the final laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to become the first ever Dutch champion.
The young driver for Red Bull looked to have the advantage going into the race as he qualified on pole. However, he started the race on the faster but less durable soft compound tyre while Hamilton was on the medium compound.
The seven-time champion however shocked everybody with an amazing start and launched past his rival going into turn one. Verstappen lunged down the inside of the bend, but Hamilton held the lead – and it seemed all but race-over as the Mercedes driver seemed to be cruising to his eighth Formula 1 crown.
But the motor racing gods had one more twist to the end of the tale.
With five laps to go, Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed, leaving his car on the track and debris everywhere. The safety car came out – and Verstappen was back in the race.
With the lapped cars forced to go ahead of the safety car, Verstappen found himself right behind Hamilton with one lap to go.
Now the tables were turned. Verstappen was on soft tyres and Hamilton was on hard tyres, worse for wear after 37 laps. The Netherlands driver breezed past Hamilton right at the death as he would win his first ever Formula 1 drivers title.
It has been one of the best seasons in Formula 1 history and only the second time in the sport that the two leading drivers were level on points.
Hamilton the master, and Vertsappen the student, are finally on even terms. Is this the end of an era as the British driver failed to win his eighth championship?
Probably not. This is a very significant battle that Red Bull have won, but the war is a long way from over.
Expect Hamilton to be back next season – more determined than ever.
Image source: @F1
