James Wharton wins F4 UAE title after opening lap crash

James Wharton has won the Formula 4 United Arab Emirates title in dramatic circumstances after a crash with rival and teammate Tuukka Taponen.

James Wharton retires from the race as champion. (Formula 4 UAE)

Wharton went into the series finale with a 20-point advantage over his Mumbai Falcons teammate.

The Australian started on pole alongside McLaren junior Ugo Ugochukwu, with Taponen behind them in third.

A stunning start saw Wharton narrowly hold the lead as he went into turn one three-wide with Ugochukwu on the inside and Taponen on the outside.

Ugochukwu backed off, while the Mumbai Falcons pair went wheel-to-wheel into turn four, running wide off the circuit.

Both drivers scrambled to return to the track for turn five under the hotel, collecting each other and crashing out of the race.

With Taponen retiring to pit lane, Wharton was crowned champion as his car laid stranded on the track with a broken rear wheel.

The race was red-flagged on the final lap after a heavy collision between Frederico Rifai and Hamda Al-Qubaisi.

Ugochukwu claimed victory in the incident-filled race ahead of Valerio Riniella and Keanu Al Azhari.

The New Yorker was unfortunate not to be competing for the overall standings, having claimed the most race victories of the season.

Mumbai Falcons claimed the team's title with Wharton as champion and Taponen as vice-champion and rookie champion.

Jimmy Piszcyk was 12th, with Noah Lisle 16th and Jack Beeton 21st.