Abu Dhabi GP, Formula 1: Max Verstappen breaks down – A bitter rivalry ended at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi when Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pipped title rival Lewis Hamilton to clinch the F1 title. It was a late last lap drama that handed him the title but despite the loss, Hamilton’s father Anthony Hamilton went to the Red Bull garage to congratulate and console Max as he broke down crying with relief.
Lewis Hamilton was expectedly disappointed having led the race from the first lap only for a safety car and controversial FIA decision ruling him out. After snatching the world title from 7-time world champions Lewis Hamilton, he broke down as the extreme pressure got to him.
Abu Dhabi GP: Great gesture by Lewis Hamilton’s father as he consoles Max Verstappen after he breaks down following controversial win – Watch video
A touching moment as Max and Jos Verstappen are congratulated by Lewis Hamilton’s father, Anthony 👊#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/5n2uaLrfr2
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
But Anthony Hamilton despite his son’s unceremonious loss, didn’t lose his temper. He walked to Max Verstappen in the Red Bull garage to congratulate him and consoled him as he found him crying.
Abu Dhabi GP: Great gesture by Lewis Hamilton’s father as he consoles Max Verstappen after he breaks down following controversial win – Watch video
Later, Lewis Hamilton also went up to Max to congratulate him even though he was bitterly disappointed.
“Firstly, big congratulations to Max and to his team. But I’m so proud of my own team and we gave it absolutely everything. I’ve felt great in the car the last couple of months. We’ll see what happens next year,” Lewis Hamilton said after the race.
Max Verstappen called the race insane as intense pressure got to him. But he was relieved to end Hamilton and Mercedes’ domination. He also fulfilled his father’s (Jos Verstappen) unfulfilled dream of winning a championship.
Abu Dhabi GP: Great gesture by Lewis Hamilton’s father as he consoles Max Verstappen after he breaks down following controversial win – Watch video
VERSTAPPEN WINS THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP!!
WHAT A FINISH!!!! HE’S DONE IT!!!
A last lap pass decides the title. What a season.#F1 #AbuDhabiGP pic.twitter.com/3tpnyLo2DX
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) December 12, 2021
“It’s just insane. I mean, my goal when I was little was of course to become a Formula 1 driver and you hope for wins, to be on the podium, when they play the national anthem you one day hope they play yours and then when you stand here and they tell you that you are world champion it is something incredible and special,” Max said.
“All the things come back through your mind throughout all the years you spent together, traveling for that goal… and everything comes together in the last lap. Insane, these people, my whole team, my family, my friends, the people… who want to push me to where I am today. They’re all here – most of them are here. It’s just insane, I lost my voice, but yes. I don’t know, it just sounds amazing, honestly,” he added.
Abu Dhabi GP: Great gesture by Lewis Hamilton’s father as he consoles Max Verstappen after he breaks down following controversial win – Watch video
Despite the bitter rivalry that ended in his favour, he called Lewis an amazing competitor. But the love might be lost soon as Mercedes has protested against the decision of race director Michael Masi that changed the race.
“Lewis is an amazing driver, an amazing competitor, he really made it really hard for us and everybody loves to see that. Of course, the two teams run against each other and we have tough times but I think that’s part of the sport, it’s emotion, everyone wants to win. It could have gone either way today but for sure next year we’ll try again, come back, and hopefully do it all over again,” Max Verstappen said.
Abu Dhabi GP: Great gesture by Lewis Hamilton’s father as he consoles Max Verstappen after he breaks down following controversial win – Watch video
