Max Verstappen celebrates after after winning the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi on Sunday. AP

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Max Verstappen created history by becoming the first Dutchman ever to win the Formula One world championship title after winning the dramatic season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix under the floodlights at the Yas Marina circuit on Sunday.

The Red Bull driver won his 10th race of the season to finish ahead of seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton and Verstappen were locked in a battle for the final time this year on the tarmac.

Medium-tyred Hamilton jumped soft-shod Verstappen at the start, while the Dutchman came back in Turn 6, nudging him wide and over the run-off, but the Mercedes driver continued in the lead. Stewards decided not to investigate. The pit window opened when Verstappen came in on Lap 13, Hamilton a lap later, leaving Sergio Perez in the lead with the mission to hold off Hamilton.

Spectators react as Max Verstappen clinches the World Championship title as they watch the race on screens in Netherlands. AP

Perez did exactly that, on Laps 20 to 21 — being dubbed a "legend" by his team mate as he let him past to continue the chase, before pitting on Lap 22. The podium looked certain until he retired on Lap 56 under a Safety Car, which was brought out for a Nicholas Latifi crash.

Aircraft fly over the track bbefore the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in Abu Dhabi. AP

That Safety Car, during which Verstappen pitted for soft tyres, left the race with just one lap of green flag racing remaining, producing another memorable moment in this epic season.

Verstappen did make the pass on Hamilton into Lap 5, the decisive move, and while Hamilton attempted to come back towards Turn 9, there was nothing doing. History was made, as it was always going to be, and the trophy went to the Dutchman for the first time.

Finland's Kimi Raikonen poses for a photo with his family on the starting grid just before racing. AP

Carlos Sainz took the final podium place ahead of AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda in P4 - while AlphaTauri team mate Pierre Gasly rounded out the top five.
Valtteri Bottas struggled to P6, running as low as eighth, and losing a potential podium spot from fourth to sixth under the final Safety Car.

lpine took points with Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon eighth and ninth respectively, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rounding out the top 10.

Max Verstappen arrives at the circuit before the race with his girlfriend Kelly Piquet. Reuters

Alfa Romeo suffered a double retirement as Kimi Raikkonen bowed out on Lap 26, team mate Antonio Giovinazzi 10 laps later. Latifi was Williams’ second retiree after George Russell bowed out from his tenure with the team with a loss of drive on Lap 27.

Spectators react as Max Verstappen clinches the World Championship title as they watch the race on screens in Netherlands. AP

Mercedes and Red Bull therefore shared the spoils in this incredible season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, fit for a season that will no doubt go down as one of the greatest ever.