Lewis Hamilton shows his class with message to Max Verstappen after losing title

Don’t miss a thing by getting the Daily Star’s biggest headlines straight to your inbox!

Lewis Hamilton sent a classy message to Max Verstappen after losing the F1 World Championship to his F1 rival.

The Brit was leading the race throughout after starting well as his title challenger failed to get away at lights out.

Hamilton looked to have his eighth world championship in the bag until Nicholas Latifi's crash with a few laps remaining brought out a safety car.

That allowed Verstappen to pit for another fresh set of tyres, but after coming out behind a host of lapped cars, his title hopes still looked slim to none.

Mercedes and team chief Toto Wolff were fuming after lapped cars were allowed to overtake the safety car, leaving Verstappen with the chance to race Hamilton for the final lap where he managed to overtake him.

The seven-time world champion was gracious in defeat and praised Verstappen for his driving this season.

"Firstly, congratulations to Max and to his team," Hamilton said moments after losing out.

"I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone back at the factory, have worked so hard this whole year, it's been the most difficult of seasons. I'm so proud of them and I'm so grateful to be a part of the journey with them.

  • Retiring F1 star Kimi Raikkonen's wife is stunning Finnish fitness model

"This last part of the season we gave it absolutely everything and never gave up."

Verstappen was elated as he ended his short wait for a maiden world championship.

"It's unbelievable. Throughout the whole race I kept fighting then there was the opportunity in the last lap, it's incredible," he said.

"I don't know what to say. My team and Honda deserve it.

"Finally a bit of luck for me. I also want to say thank you to Checo, he's been a brilliant team-mate.

"My team know I love them I hope we can do this for 10, 15 years together.

"I don't want to change ever. I want to stay with them for the rest of my life, if they will have me.

"I'm so happy. Our goal was to win this championship when we came together and now we have done that."

  • Formula One
  • F1
  • Lewis Hamilton
  • Max Verstappen
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Source: Read Full Article