Motor racing-Verstappen fulfils his destiny with dream F1 title

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 12, 2021 Red Bull's Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

(Reuters) - Max Verstappen was hailed as a future Formula One world champion even before he entered the sport as a 17-year-old rookie in 2015 and on Sunday, whooping in delight, he fulfilled his destiny in dramatic style.

The 24-year-old Dutch driver, followed around the world by a raucous army of orange-shirted fans, overtook Mercedes's seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the final race in Abu Dhabi.