Seven-time Formula 1 world champion, driver Lewis Hamilton said he was robbed in the 2021 title fight. That year, the Brit arrived at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the last of the season, tied on points with Dutchman Max Verstappen, but ended up losing the race to the opponent.
“Was I robbed? Obviously. I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, what I take away from it, was that my dad was with me. And we went through this huge rollercoaster of life together, with ups and downs. And on the day that hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was always standing up, with my head held high,” he said in an interview with GQ.
Hamilton admitted that he still feels the loss of the cup after the race that decided the championship, but that he “is at peace” with the issue. He and Max were tied on 369.5 points and whoever finished ahead would win the title. The Briton led the Yas Marina race for almost the entirety of the race until, in the final laps, an accident with Williams’ Nicholas Latifi led to the safety car being brought onto the track. The Mercedes driver had a 14-second advantage over his Red Bull opponent. The Dutchman took advantage of the opportunity and entered the pits on soft tires, something the seven-time champion was unable to do. According to the regulations, the safety car had to do one more lap, which would be the last and end the race while maintaining all positions. However, director Michael Masi decided to restart before the checkered flag. In the first corners, Verstappen overtook Hamilton and became champion for the first time in his career.
“If I watch a clip of that, I still feel it. But I’m at peace with it. My fans were really resolute about it. At first I couldn’t understand it, but I realized it’s not easy to relate to someone who always finishes first.” It’s inspiring. But there has never been a story of overcoming until now,” he added.
After the race, Mercedes protested twice to the FIA, but were unsuccessful. At the 2021 awards ceremony, Hamilton did not attend the event and ended up being punished. Toto Wolff, head of the German team, was also not present at the event. In February 2022, Masi stepped down as FIA race director in a decision taken by President Mohammed ben Sulayem and with the support of Stefano Domenicali, CEO of F1. The following month, the entity released a report admitting “human error” and pointing out factors that led to the failure, in addition to recognizing that the regulations were not followed.
F1 meets again this weekend with the Japanese GP, the fourth stage of the 2024 World Championship, at the Suzuka circuit. Qualifying training takes place in the early hours of next Saturday (6), at 3am Brasília time, while the race will be on Sunday (7), at 2am.
