Max Verstappen sets new landmark as he ends dominant season with Abu Dhabi win
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Max Verstappen ended the most dominant season in Formula One history with another victory at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix as Mercedes clung on to second place in the constructors’ championship by the skin of their teeth – and a £10m cash boost. Verstappen – who became the first man to lead for 1,000 laps in a single F1 season – failed to triumph in just three of the 22 rounds staged, and his latest win takes him to 54 for his career, leaving only Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher ahead of him. open image in gallery Charles Leclerc finished second while George Russell finished third But in the other Mercedes, Hamilton feared he had sustained damage to his front wing after he biffed Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Perez took Leclerc on the last lap but finished only 3.9 sec clear of Russell – dropping Perez to fourth – as Mercedes breathed a sigh of relief.