Lewis Hamilton fans crash Max Verstappen awards ceremony at FIA bash in Paris

Max Verstappen prevails in world title shoot-out

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Lewis Hamilton’s dedicated fans crashed Max Verstappen’s world championship celebrations at the FIA Awards in Paris last night. Red Bull star Verstappen secured a maiden world title in a dramatic and controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday after he and title rival Hamilton went into the season finale at the Yas Marina Circuit tied on points.

The Dutchman passed the seven-time world champion – who had dominated for much of the race – on the final lap after a late Safety Car and tyre change swung momentum in his favour. 

The 24-year-old made the move on the Brit early in the lap and held on to secure the first championship of his career.

The controversial ending saw Mercedes lodge two protests that were quickly dismissed by the FIA, while the Silver Arrows announced they were withdrawing their appeal on Thursday.

The news of their withdrawal confirmed Verstappen as the 2021 world champion as Hamilton, who is tied with Michael Schumacher for the most titles in F1 history with seven world championships, reportedly did not want to win the record-breaking title in court. 

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff confirmed that neither he nor star driver Hamilton – who was knighted at Windsor Castle by the Prince of Wales on Wednesday – would attend the FIA Prize Giving Ceremony which was held on Thursday night.

F1’s sporting regulations insist the drivers that finish in the top three of the championship must attend the prize giving ceremony but while Hamilton was there, his fans certainly ensured their presence was felt. 

A van was parked outside the gala building, with an interactive message that read: “#WeStandWithLewis.”

The statement comes after Wolff suggested Hamilton could retire following the heartbreaking end to the season.

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After receiving his award at the FIA ceremony, Verstappen said the Brit should not walk away from F1.

“Of course, I can understand that the first few days, after a race like that, you’re not happy,” the 24-year-old said.

“You should also understand this is racing and these things can happen to you.

“I think he should just look back at what he has achieved, and that should give him a lot of comfort and that drive to keep on going.

“He is still trying to challenge for that eighth title, and he can do that again next year, so I don’t see any reason why to give up or stop now.”

When asked if he feels sorry for Hamilton, the Dutchman said: “No, I don’t feel sorry but I can understand it can be very painful.

“At the end of the day, that’s racing as well. You just have to keep fighting until the end and you know that in racing anything can happen.

“He also won a championship like that. I think he can understand as well.”

Mercedes’ fury is largely aimed at FIA race director Michael Masi following a season of odd decisions which went both for and against the German manufacturer.  

Masi made a series of questionable calls throughout the year but none more so than the decision to not allow cars to unlap themselves, as is tradition, only to change his mind to set up the final lap showdown between Hamilton and Verstappen on Sunday.

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