F1: SuperMax! – Gulf Digital News

F1: SuperMax! – Gulf Digital News

GULFWEEKLY: Max Verstappen was hailed as a future Formula One world champion even before he entered the sport as a 17-year-old rookie in 2015 and on Sunday, whooping in delight, he fulfilled his destiny in dramatic style.

The 24-year-old Dutch driver, followed around the world by a raucous army of orange-shirted fans, overtook Mercedes’s seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the season’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

“Max Verstappen, you are the world champion...the world champion!” Red Bull boss Christian Horner shouted over the radio in a release of pent-up tension and stress, as Verstappen sobbed tears of joy.

“You have driven like a champion all year. You deserved that. You have made it happen and we absolutely love you.”

It looked like the ending of an era, the passing of a baton even if 36-year-old Hamilton no doubt intends to take it back next year, as the rivals sportingly embraced before taking the podium.

“It’s insane, I’m so happy,” said Verstappen.

“My goal when I was little was to become a Formula One driver and you hope for wins, you hope to be on the podium; when they play the national anthem you hope they play yours.

“And, then when they stand