WATCH: Stefanos Tsitsipas celebrates F1 driver Max Verstappen’s crowning as the world champion
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Stefanos Tsitsipas and Max Verstappen
The 2021 tennis season ended back in November post the conclusion of the 2021 ATP Finals where World No. 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas had to withdraw from the tournament after hurting his elbow. As the Greek now takes time to relax ahead of the 2022 season, the player is now taking time for his other passion.
With the F1 world champion set to be decided in the final Grand Prix of the season in Abu Dhabi yesterday, it was set to be an intense battle between the 7-time champion and also the 4-time defending champion Lewis Hamilton and challenger Max Verstappen who were both on 369.5 points going into the race and had split the world into two teams for the final race of the season.
Verstappen had started the race in the pole position with Hamilton 2nd but the British veteran quickly overtook Max to lead the race and he did it for the majority of the race before the safety car was called in the final few laps of the race. In the drama that unfolded on the final lap, Verstappen overtook Hamilton and held his position till the checked flag was waved confirming him as the winner and landing him his first World Championship title.
Tstisipas was ‘Team Max’ for the race and was ecstatic when the 24-year old Dutchman won the race and title. Stef watched the race from the pit where the other crew members of the Redbull team were present and jumped in joy after Max crossed the finishing line and celebrated on the team radio as Mercedes and Hamilton’s fans were left disappointed.
Stefanos Tsitsipas also thanked driver Nicholas Latifi
In what looked to be a one-sided affair for Hamilton despite Redbull’s Sergio Perez‘s best efforts to block the Brit, it was not until Williams team’s driver Nicholas Latifi crashed his car and the safety car was called out and the final lap drama unfolded which as per Mercedes team was unfair as they lodged two complaints which were then overturned by the stewards of FIA.
Stefanos thanked Latifi as his crash eventually helped Verstappen win the title in the race which otherwise looked to make Hamilton the world champion for the 5th year in a row and for the 8th time in his career taking him ahead of legendary Ferrari driver Michael Schumacher who set the record of 7-time world champion that was matched by Hamilton last year.
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Sarthak Shitole
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