With a lap on the Abu Dhabi GP’s final lap, Max Verstappen took the Formula One world championship from Lewis Hamilton. It was the most thrilling Formula One season ever.

Hamilton was only five laps shy of passing Michael Schumacher. Sunday’s eighth championship gave Red Bull and Verstappen one last chance.

Hamilton’s radio broadcast of Nicholas Latifi’s crash to release the safety car did not contain any expletives.

Michael Masi was an F1 race director. He took his time trying to figure out the best way to end the race. The controversial decision to race one last lap in order to win the title, however, is not something that everyone agrees with. Verstappen was just ahead of Hamilton on the final lap, following him around the first four turns.

Verstappen was able to pass Hamilton at the final turn. Verstappen won the race, but Hamilton pulled the Mercedes along with Red Bull.

Verstappen and Red Bull celebrated in a champagne soak, received hugs from his fellow competitors — including Hamilton and Hamilton’s father — and made his way to the DJ stand at Yas Marina Circuit and jumped wildly up and down to the music.

Verstappen stated, “It’s insane. I mean, my goal was when I was young to be a Formula One driver, and to win, to be on top of the podium.” You want the national anthem to be yours, and it is amazing and unique when they announce that you have been named the world champion.

The fitting conclusion to an exciting season, which saw two competitors race wheel-to-wheel in 22 races across four continents. They arrived in Abu Dhabi tied for the championship standings. The season finale was the first time that the rivals had been equal since 1974.

Hamilton expressed his gratitude to Max and his entire team for their outstanding work this year.

This bitter rivalry between Mercedes and Red Bull got the ending it deserved — one that left the victor speechless.

“Oh my god!” Verstappen was ecstatic as he crossed that finish line.

You are the world champion You are the world champion! Christian Horner, Red Bull’s boss, shouted back.

“Let’s continue this for 10 to 15 more years!” Verstappen replied.

Red Bull took home its first F1 championship title in 2013 and Mercedes won each subsequent one.

Hamilton was not in the Mercedes camp. He sat in his Mercedes car motionless for several minutes while other drivers moved to congratulate Verstappen. Hamilton lost his four-year reign and was unable to surpass Schumacher in F1.

Toto Wolff, Mercedes boss, was incredulous and demanded that “the last lap” be restored.

Masi replied tersely, “Toto it’s called motor racing.” We want car racing.”

Hamilton got a hug from his dad, and then he went to Red Bull and hugged Verstappen. Jos Vertappen is a former F1 driver who raised his son, now 24, to become a world champion.

Red Bull was successful in its mission, and it celebrated the occasion by performing “We are the Champions!” in their garage.