As the dust settles on what has been an action-packed year-long championship battle, coming down to the final seconds of the season between Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, the newly crowned champion has discussed the events of yesterday’s Grand Prix, the “rollercoaster of emotions” and his respect for the seven-time champion.

“I got a massive cramp in my leg in that last lap, the whole lap” said Verstappen “so when I went for the move, I had a massive cramp so I was going flat out but biting my teeth because it was really painful.

“So I made the move but then I still had another two long straights to battle with Lewis [Hamilton] but [while] having this cramp so that was not really enjoyable.”

Now, I’m going to enjoy this. Orange Army-you were amazing once again. I hope you all enjoy this as much as I do 🧡

(3/3) pic.twitter.com/xQMJ9OJ60y

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) December 12, 2021

Verstappen also admitted he felt for his rival, who had the title slip through his fingers at the very end despite running an almost flawless race from lights out.

“I felt for Lewis [Hamilton]” he said, speaking to selected media. “He did everything right throughout the whole race.”

“But F1 can be very unpredictable and, of course, it can go either way. It could have been the other way around as well where I would be controlling the race and then I would lose it in the last lap. That’s unfortunately part of racing.”

Verstappen continued to praise Hamilton who he deems an “amazing driver”.

Lewis is a great sportsperson, but like I said it’s racing and we all have to deal with it, if it’s positive or negative, but he will come back again, very strong because he is an amazing driver.”

Celebrations and respect on the podium 💪#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/2LOwnDSI29

— Formula 1 (@F1) December 13, 2021

While Verstappen and his team celebrate their victory, the conversation and controversy around the late safety car rumbles on. Mercedes having lodged their intention to appeal the stewards' decision regarding the alleged breach of safety car rules has sparked fierce debate, but Verstappen is not surprised by this turn of events.

“It’s quite typical looking at the season that it happened,” he said. “It is what it is.”

The Dutchman also confirmed he intends to run the number 1, reserved for the reigning champion but absent from the grid since 2014, next season. Having mentioned earlier in the season he likely would, Verstappen has now definitively stated he would as he realises this could be his only opportunity to do so. 

“Yeah, I will run it,” he confirmed. “How many times can you do that? I don’t know, maybe it’s the only time I can in my life.

“I think it’s the best number out there. I will definitely put it on my car.”

This will make Verstappen the first driver to run the number one since Sebastian Vettel, the last driver to win a Drivers’ Championship with Red Bull.