Leclerc: Verstappen-Hamilton season finale "the best F1 could have hoped for"
Leclerc: Verstappen-Hamilton season finale "the best F1 could have hoped for"
Charles Leclerc believes the Max Verstappen-Lewis Hamilton battle on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was "the best F1 could have hoped for."
The world championship race went to the last lap of the season, as Verstappen took advantage of a safety car deployment to overtake Hamilton and claim his maiden F1 driver's title.
Following the arrival of a safety car with five laps remaining, the FIA announced that lapped cars would not be allowed to overtake after Nicholas Latifi's car had been cleared from the track, following a collision with the barriers.
Race director Michael Masi then reversed his decision and allowed the five lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to pass the safety car, leaving the Dutchman in behind Hamilton and on fresher tyres.
Verstappen was able to pass Hamilton to take the chequered flag, and speaking to Sky Sports afterwards, Leclerc declared his feeling that the outcome had been good for F1.
He said: "To have the last race, on the last lap, is unbelievable.
"But I think it's the best that F1 could ask for. It's great to see that and congratulations to Max, he's been incredible."
Leclerc finished the race in P10 as Ferrari look to next season in an effort to be competitive with Mercedes and Red Bull.
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F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
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- Lance Stroll
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- Daniel Ricciardo
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- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
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- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
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- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
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