Max Verstappen pledges career allegiance to Red Bull after clinching world title

Verstappen, Red Bull, Abu Dhabi — Photo: © LAT Images

Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Verstappen pledges career allegiance to Red Bull after clinching world title

Verstappen took the championship with a last lap move on Hamilton

Ewan Gale

Sunday 12 December 2021 16:12

Max Verstappen has devoted himself to Red Bull after claiming the 2021 F1 world drivers' championship title on the final lap of the season.

Lewis Hamilton seemed in control with a lead he had held since taking the lead in controversial fashion on lap one right up until Nicholas Latifi hit the wall at turn 14 in the closing stages.

Verstappen pitted for soft tyres under the safety car with Hamilton unable to dive into the pits given his close proximity when the decision to deploy the safety car was made.

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With the FIA controversially reversing the decision not to allow lapped cars to overtake, Verstappen was pushed onto the gearbox of Hamilton for a single lap shootout to decide the title.

The Dutchman becomes the first from his country to take the drivers' title.

"It is unbelievable," said Verstappen.

"The whole race I kept on fighting and I then, of course, that opportunity on the last lap, it is incredible. I am still having a cramp. It is insane. I don't know what to say.

"These guys here, my team and Honda as well, they deserve it. I love them so much and I really enjoyed working with them since 2016. It has been incredible.

"To my team, I think they know I love them and I hope we can do this for 10 or 15 years together.

"There is no reason to change, ever. I want to stay with them for the rest of my life and hope they let me. It is insane, I am so happy and also Christian [Horner] and Helmut [Marko] trusting me to be in the team, our goal was to win this championship but now we have done that."

Sergio Perez played his part in blocking Hamilton midway through the race, bringing the gap between the two drivers down from seven seconds to just one during the initial pit stop phase.

Addressing the safety car period, the 24-year-old quipped: "Finally a bit of luck for me.

"I also want to say a big thank you to Checo, he drove his heart out today. It was great teamwork and he is an amazing team-mate."