Max Verstappen wins his first Formula 1 world title after a dramatic finish to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

(CNN) – Max Verstappen clinched his first Formula 1 World Championship after beating Lewis Hamilton in a controversial season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.

This season had been heralded as one of the best in the history of the sport and the title race narrowed down to the last lap.

Hamilton porco takes his eighth world title, which would break a record, until an accident caused the race to restart with the last lap remaining.

Verstappen was allowed to start almost alongside Hamilton, despite the Briton having established a healthy lead with just four laps to go.

The Netherlands driver, on new tires, had the pace to overtake his rival and win one of the most dramatic races in Formula 1.