Max Verstappen: “Sometimes miracles happen”

Max Verstappen went through all the emotions at Yas Marina. After a failed start, the Dutchman saw Lewis Hamilton fly towards the world title without being able to keep up with the Briton. Even Sergio Pérez's heroic defense did not stop the seven-time world champion's march towards a historic eighth coronation. The accident of Nicholas latifi (Williams) and the Safety Car which followed in the final laps finally offered the 24-year-old driver a final chance to win his first crown. Shod with new soft tyres, the Batavian did not miss the opportunity by overtaking his rival, on tires 40 laps old. A Hollywood scenario.

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" It's incredible, reacted the new World Champion of Formula 1 after the podium. My goal as a kid was to become a Formula 1 driver and you always hope to win races or get on podiums, hear your national anthem. You want to hear it for yourself and finish as World Champion, that's the goal. It's special to share this moment with my father. All of this came back to mind as I traveled this year as I moved toward this goal. We all stayed together until the last lap. This whole team is my family, my friends, my family's best friends. They all supported me and made me who I am today. It's incredible, I'm losing my voice. »

All weekend, the pilot Red Bull was able to enjoy a real orange tide at Yas Marina: “There are a lot of Dutch people here. It was incredible to have this orange army here. They support me at all the Grands Prix. I know that I will be able to count on their support for a long time. » The first Dutchman to win a title in the history of the discipline can now let the immense pressure fall off his shoulders. “Of course I was nervous about today. You want to do well. You had to continue to believe in it, even if it didn't look good and sometimes miracles happen. »

Max Verstappen wanted to greet his opponent, elegant in defeat, after the race: “Lewis is an incredible driver and opponent. He made our lives very difficult. Our two teams gave each other a hard time. Sport is about emotions, everyone wants to win, but it can only end on one side. We will come back next year to do it again. » It will be difficult to achieve a season as crazy as this 2021 vintage, which is uncertain until the last corner.

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