Radio messages have emerged of Lewis Hamilton calling the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix "manipulated".
Mercedes Hamilton was heading for the record books
But after a crash with five laps to go, caused by Williams driver Latifi, a safety car entered the track.
FIA race director Michael Masi allowed five cars to un-lap themselves to bring Verstappen wheel-to-wheel with rival Hamilton.
Many have called on Masi for the unusual decision, as fans speculate that it was 'rigged'. But the FIA has defended its call.
Verstappen changed his tyres, and when the race restarted - he overtook Hamilton in a dramatic final lap of the season.
ᴡᴏʀʟᴅ ᴄʜᴀᴍᴘɪᴏɴ!!!!
This is just unbelievable. I started racing with my dad many years ago. We dreamed of becoming a World Champion and now we are.
(1/3) pic.twitter.com/sQ3WBEjWZ6— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) December 12, 2021
Mercedes, who reckon race rules weren't applied correctly, have had two protests dismissed.
The team has until Thursday to act on their intention to appeal the result once again.
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) December 12, 2021
On-board radios have been released from Sunday's race, where Hamilton says the race was 'manipulated' as Verstappen pulled away on the final lap in Yas Marina.
At 24, Verstappen became F1 World Champion for the first time when he reached the checkered flag.
After the race, Hamilton congratulated the young Dutchman but skipped the press conference.
Red Bull boss Christian Horner believes Mercedes' attempts to reverse the result of the F1 world championship are a "little bit desperate".
Verstappen says he isn't concerned it could get overturned.
"I and the team, we didn't do anything wrong, we just raced when there was a green light so it is what it and that's racing sometimes."
This just gets better every time we watch it 😱💙pic.twitter.com/4uiiRFIZgv
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) December 14, 2021
Image: Max Verstappen Twitter
