Sir Lewis Hamilton has been denied a record eighth F1 world title by rival Max Verstappen following late drama in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
After leading for almost all of the race, the 36-year-old Mercedes driver was overtaken on the final lap by the Dutchman in controversial circumstances.
It means Red Bull’s Verstappen has claimed his first-ever Formula 1 world title.
Mercedes launched appeals over two alleged breaches of the sporting regulations, but they were rejected by race stewards.
However, the team intend to go to the International Court of Appeal.
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Reacting to his championship victory, Verstappen, 24, called it “unbelievable” and “insane”.
He added: “Finally a bit of luck for me. It was great teamwork.
“My team know that I love them and there’s no need to change ever. I want to stay with them for the rest of my life.”
British driver Hamilton looked on course for his eighth world title, but after a safety car came on the track to deal with a Nicholas Latifi crash just five laps from the end, Verstappen lying in second was given a reprieve.
The Dutchman changed his tyres during the delay, while Hamilton stayed out in the lead to keep track position on his older set.
There were initially five lapped cars between the two title contenders in the queue behind the safety car.
Race director Michael Masi decided that only those five should be allowed to unlap themselves, instead of all lapped cars as is the usual procedure.
Verstappen was then right on Hamilton’s tail and a final-lap showdown followed, with Verstappen prevailing after overtaking his rival going into turn five and holding him off to the chequered flag.
Mercedes, which have secured the constructors’ title for a record eighth successive year, later launched two appeals.
They alleged a regulation was breached with Verstappen’s car pulling up alongside and moving in front of Hamilton’s before racing resumed.
It is illegal to overtake, unless authorised to do so, while the safety car is on the track. But stewards concluded Verstappen was not in front when the safety car period ended.
Mercedes also protested about the safety car procedure itself and, ultimately, why only a certain number of lapped cars were allowed to pass by before the restart.
Mercedes argued Hamilton would have won the race if all had overtaken the safety car due to the time required, making a last-lap showdown impossible.
However, stewards ruled it made no difference since the other three lapped drivers who did not overtake the safety car were not interfering with the race outcome.
Just after the race finished, Hamilton said: “Firstly congratulations to Max and to his team. I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone back at the factory, have worked so hard this whole year, it’s been the most difficult of seasons.
“This last part of the season we gave it absolutely everything and we never gave up.”
The two drivers headed into the final race of the year level on 369.5 points each and were on the front row at the Yas Marina Circuit with Verstappen on pole.
But Hamilton was quicker off the line and led into turn one.
At turn seven, Verstappen lunged to try and regain his lead.
Hamilton went off the track as a result, then rejoined having missed the turn but race officials deemed he had no penalty to answer for.
Following the near-miss, Hamilton scampered down the road and started to extend his lead but he did not have it all his own way during the race.
The Briton came into the pits on lap 15 to avoid being undercut by Verstappen but emerged behind the Red Bull of Sergio Perez – who was given instructions to hold up Hamilton.
The Mexican did just that, costing Hamilton over six seconds as he tussled for the lead, Verstappen closing in and praising his team-mate as a “legend” over the radio.