Max Verstappen and his model girlfriend Kelly Piquet hug after Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win

Max Verstappen and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet shared an emotional embrace after he won his first F1 world championship at Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The racing driver, 24, snatched Lewis Hamilton‘s eighth victory after he overtook the Brit on the final lap of a thrilling and controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Belgian-Dutch sportsman Max could be seen hugging his model and girlfriend Kelly, 33, after stepping out of his car at the end of the race, while Lewis got a consoling hug from his dad, Anthony Hamilton.

Champion: Max Verstappen, 24, and his girlfriend Kelly Piquet, 33, shared an emotional embrace after he won his first F1 world championship at in Abu Dhabi on Sunday

Max could be seen wearing his Red Bull Racing helmet while Kelly donned a casual black hoodie.

She looked overwhelmed as she made her way to her partner to congratulate him on his triumph.

Max’s win came after Lewis led the entire race and was in total control after overtaking the Red Bull driver at the first corner, but a controversial safety car gave the Dutchman the opportunity to snatch the title away.

Runner up: Meanwhile, Lewis got a consoling hug from his dad, Anthony Hamilton

Delighted: Kelly looked overwhelmed as she made her way to her partner to congratulate him on his triumph

Hamilton appeared to be cruising to an eighth championship, but Williams driver Nicholas Latifi crashed into the wall duelling with Haas’ Mick Schumacher with just five laps remaining.

A virtual safety car was initially called and Verstappen and Red Bull used the opportunity to pit and fit fresh soft tyres, while Hamilton had no choice but to keep track position and stay out on his deteriorating hard tyres.

However, a full safety car was subsequently called by Race Control, bunching up the field and all but wiping out Hamilton’s lead.

Tense: The racing driver snatched Lewis Hamilton’s eighth victory after he overtook the Brit on the final lap of a thrilling and controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Winner: Max’s win came after Lewis led the entire race after overtaking the Red Bull driver at the first corner, but a safety car gave the Dutchman the opportunity to snatch the title away

Cheering Max on was his glamorous girlfriend Kelly who is somewhat considered F1 royalty and a familiar face on the circuit.

She is the daughter of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet and previously dated Daniil Kvyat for three years, with whom she shares a two-year-old daughter, Penelope.

Kelly is believed to have been dating the Red Bull driver Max since late 2020, and regularly shares snaps of her adventures around the world on Instagram.

Loved-up: Kelly is believed to have been dating the Red Bull driver Max since late 2020, and regularly shares snaps of her adventures around the world on Instagram

Missed out: Lewis would have taken his eighth win if he had triumphed in the race in the United Arab Emirates

Max went public with their relationship on New Year’s Day this year, sharing a romantic snap of them together on a beach in Brazil, though it’s thought they’ve been an item since October 2020.

Announcing the news online, Max posted: ‘Happy New Year everyone. Let’s make 2021 a year to remember in many ways. Wishing you all success, love and happiness just as I found mine.’

Meanwhile Kelly wrote: ‘Love is what makes the world go round. Happy new year and much love #2021.’

Happy couple: Cheering Max on is his glamorous Brazilian model girlfriend Kelly (pictured together), who previously dated Daniil Kvyat for three years

Social media snaps show her gushing over Max, with her birthday tribute to her boyfriend reading: ‘Happy Birthday to the love of my life.

‘I love everything about you, about us and I am beyond proud of you. I can’t wait for all that is to come.’

It is believed Max only met his father-in-law Nelson a month ago, when the model shared a snap on her Instagram stories of the pair, writing: ‘Finally they meet.’

Doting mother: The bmodel is the daughter of three-time F1 world champion Nelson Piquet and previously dated Daniil Kvyat, with whom she shares a two-year-old daughter Penelope

And earlier this year she spoke of her fears for her boyfriend when he takes part in races.

She explained: ‘It’s of course mixed emotions. I’m always super excited to support him but I always am nervous that everything goes well and that he doesn’t get hurt in an accident.

‘The danger is normally not the first thing that comes to my mind but after his two big accidents this year, I’m much more nervous.’

She also revealed how she dreams of ‘building a beautiful, strong and united happy family.’

Supportive girlfriend: Kelly is a familiar face in the pitlane, having worked in motorsport PR and social media for Formula-E since 2015