F1 fans were braced for contentious moments as the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix season finale got under way. And they got it straight away, as title protagonists Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen duked it out on the opening lap at Yas Marina.
An ace start from P2 on the grid saw Hamilton expertly jump pole-sitter Verstappen to take the lead.
But a lunge from Verstappen into Turn 6 then saw Hamilton take to the run-off, with the Mercedes driver then re-emerging into the lead. And despite Verstappen’s protestations that Hamilton should give the place back, the stewards later decided that no investigation was necessary.
LIVE COVERAGE: Follow all the action from the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Watch the race start in the video above.
Next Up
Related Articles
Our writers on the best drivers and stories from 2025
The elite group Norris joins as McLaren World Champion
Albon names moment he's most proud of from 2025
Watch as the F1 grid does Secret Santa for 2025.webp)
End Of Year Reports 2025Ferrari’s best and worst moments from 2025
Sauber’s best moments and most memorable liveries in F1