‘Absolutely unacceptable’ – Lewis Hamilton’s future teammate George Russell hits out as Max Verstappen wins controversial Formula 1 title

Formula 1 star George Russell has hit out after Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to the 2021 Drivers' Championship in controversial fashion.

British ace Hamilton, looking to win a record eighth title, was pipped on the final lap after a dramatic late decision by race director Michael Masi.

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A crash involving Nicolas Latifi saw the race, comfortably led by Hamilton, get put behind a safety car, severely reducing his lead.

There were lapped cars between the title rivals going into the final two laps but, in a break from normal convention where all cars unlap themselves, only those between Hamilton and Verstappen did, allowing a wheel-to-wheel race to the finish.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff was furious with the decision but was put in his place by Masi who responded: "Toto, it's called a motor race. We went car racing."

Hamilton's team appealed the decision but their protest was upheld, although the controversy will rumble on for some time.

But Williams ace Russell, who will become Hamilton's teammate at Mercedes next year, was also fuming with the move.

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Russell tweeted: "Max is an absolutely fantastic driver who has had an incredible season and I have nothing but huge respect for him, but what just happened is absolutely unacceptable. I cannot believe what we’ve just seen."

Formula 1 legend Alain Prost also understood the fury of Mercedes: "It's going to be commented in terms of rule about safety car. Very difficult for me to have clear judgement, I can understand they are not going to be happy about that.

"It was exceptional for the show. Always going to be controversial.

"I try to feel the happiness for Max and the sadness for Lewis."

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And in the end, despite a huge rivalry, both Hamilton and Verstappen handled the blockbuster finale humbly.

Hamilton paid tribute to Verstappen and said he had given everything possible to win his eighth world title.

He told Sky Sports: "Congratulations to Max and his team. I think we did an amazing job this year.

"Everyone back at the factory and here worked so hard in this most difficult of seasons. I'm so proud of them and so grateful to be part of the journey with them.

"We gave it everything this last part of the season, we never gave up."

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Verstappen paid his own tribute to Hamilton after his last-lap success in Abu Dhabi.

The Dutchman said: "Lewis is an amazing driver and an amazing competitor. They really made it hard for us and everyone loved to see the two teams running against each other.

"We had some tough times but that's all part of the sport and its emotion. Everyone wants to win and it could have gone either way.

"I tried to keep on pushing and sometimes miracles happen."

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