WILLIAMS driver Nicholas Latifi has been promised an endless supply of Red Bull by Christian Horner after his crash led to Max Verstappen winning the Formula One World Championship.
The Dutch star passed rival Lewis Hamilton on the final lap in Abu Dhabi to deny the Mercedes ace a record eighth world title.
British legend Hamilton, 36, looked to be on course for victory only for a safety car to be deployed on lap 54 after Latifi crashed into the barriers.
Hamilton was leading the race by over ten seconds prior to the safety car, which ultimately allowed Verstappen to hone in on the ex-McLaren man.
Verstappen then used his fresher tyres after he pitted to edge in front of the seven-time world champ right at the death.
He was able to close the gap after stewards decided to allow lapped cars to pass Hamilton, leaving the Dutchman with clear track in front of him.
It came after stewards had initially indicated lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would stay in their formation.
Speaking on Sky Sports before the crash, Red Bull boss team boss Horner stated that Verstappen needed a ‘miracle’ to win the title.
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And after that miracle duly arrived, Horner was quick to state that Latifi would be getting a lifetime present from him.
In an interview with Channel 4, he remarked: “He’ll be getting a lifetime supply of Red Bull for sure.”
Horner, who was reduced to tears after Verstappen pipped Hamilton to the title, also declared how the crash was a gift from the ‘racing gods’.
The 48-year-old told Sky Sports: “We needed something from the racing gods in the last ten laps.
“Thank you Nicholas Latifi for that safety car. I have to say with the stewards… they did great to get the race going again.
“We were screaming at him [F1 race director Michael Masi] ‘let them race’.
“It has been an insane competition and for Max to win the world championship – it is not just about here.
“I have to say all credit to Lewis, he has been a phenomenal opponent all year, he is a great champion and that is what makes it even more valid to win this.”
