Jos Verstappen admits: 'Champion because of the safety car'

Five laps before the finish, there were few people who still gave Max Verstappen a chance at the world title. Nicholas Latifi's crash and the ensuing safety car turned the race completely upside down.

Verstappen owes title to safety car

As the safety car came out, Red Bull Racing made the decision to have Verstappen change to the soft tyre. Lewis Hamilton remained out, allowing the Dutchman to drive behind him on the faster tyres. When the safety car came in the Dutchman was able to overtake the Briton and take his first world title.

In front of the Sky Sports cameras Jos Verstappen, his father, said he was very proud of his son, but also admitted that winning the title today was only possible because of the safety car. "But you still have to do it then," says Jos. Max did not let the one chance he got go to waste.

Good strategy of Red Bull Racing

Yet it wasn't just the safety car that allowed Max to grab the world title in Abu Dhabi, Red Bull Racing's strategy was once again very good. "They did a lot of things right by bringing him in for new tyres during the safety car". Luck with the safety car or not, Max has really earned this title, "he was the best driver this year."