MAX VERSTAPPEN dramatically won the world championship and declared that he got the ‘luck’ he needed. The safety car left Verstappen, 24, and Lewis Hamilton, 36, to race with one lap to go in a crazy finish to the season. Verstappen had fresh tyres and renewed optimism and overtook Hamilton – who had been leading by more than ten seconds before the safety car intervened – on the last lap. Mercedes have protested against the controversial decision to allow the safety car to release the drivers but it was Verstappen lifting the trophy on the day. Verstappen is due to remain at Red Bull until the end of the 2023 season. The safety car entered the pit lane with one lap remaining – and that freed up Verstappen for one final crack at the leader Hamilton.

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