[imagesource: AP Photo / Hassan Ammar]

It’s a good thing Max Verstappen is only 24 or else he might be nursing one of those multiple day hangovers.

Then again, waking up and realising you’re the F1 world champion is a better hangover cure than a few Panados and a greasy burger.

The drama around the controversial ending to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix rumbles on. Mercedes had previously signalled their intent to appeal the decision of the race stewards, who dismissed both protests on the day.

It’s rumoured Mercedes may soon withdraw the protest against the FIA with “the reputation of the sport at stake”.

Whatever happens next, the Dutch world champion has celebrated in style. The Telegraph has the inside track:

It was a slightly bleary-eyed Max Verstappen who sat down to face the media on Monday for the first time as the official F1 world champion. A long night celebrating his maiden world title aboard Asya, Red Bull’s hospitality yacht in Yas Marina, had clearly taken its toll, although an impromptu swim in the pool of DJ friend Martin Garrix at around 6.30am had helped to clear the head.

He apologised if he seemed a little off colour. “It was a late night and I’m still, of course, not feeling 100 per cent,” the 24-year-old said, smiling.

Celebrations around Verstappen’s win were somewhat muted when news broke that Mercedes had lodged the two appeals.

While the wait went on, the Dutchman was seen sitting with his father, Jos, and said he was running through the events of one of the greatest seasons of all time.

And then, the jol:

Any remaining tension dissipated once the stewards’ verdict landed. Someone in the Red Bull garage clearly had Queen’s We Are the Champions ready to go, and the sound of Freddie Mercury’s vocals came wafting out into the night air. At around 2am, Verstappen and his father, plus Red Bull team principal Christian Horner and wife Geri Halliwell, were spotted in a golf buggy heading over to the other side of the marina where they boarded Asya and got stuck into the champagne at a team party.

“It was a long night,” he said. “I ended up at Martin’s place. It was fun. We were spending a lot of time with all the team members as well last night, celebrating all together. All the emotions, they come out, so it was a lot of fun. Of course, when I woke up, that was not so fun. I regretted, maybe, that that final drink. But it was very nice.”

This video from the yacht emerged:

I need more vids of the party last night pic.twitter.com/WJ2R0oyAOs

— ✿ellie – MAX VERSTAPPEN WDC (@tpwkhollandx) December 13, 2021

Verstappen’s partner Kelly Piquet shared some snaps on Instagram:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by KELLY PIQUET (@kellypiquet)

She also shared this video:

[#IG] 13.12.21 – Atualização do Instagram “kellypiquet” com Max Verstappen.
🔗https://t.co/SL0r8P51if #MaxVerstappen #MV33 pic.twitter.com/aEyH2HXx0t

— VERSTAPPETES🏁 (@VERSTAPPETES) December 13, 2021

The world champion himself posted this:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Max Verstappen (@maxverstappen1)

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Mercedes, according to The Daily Mail:

Mercedes also partied after the finale in Abu Dhabi, despite the disappointment of missing out on the Drivers’ Championship.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was seen crowdsurfing as the team celebrated winning the Constructors’ Championship – which is far more lucrative to win financially.

Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri Bottas was also raised aloft by the team as the Finn waved goodbye following five years with Mercedes. He will join Alfa Romeo next season and Williams’ George Russell is replacing him.

Yes, there’s footage of Toto:

Toto is 49 which means he’ll be hanging for days.

[sources:telegraph&dmail]