Hamilton Reflects on Controversial 2021 F1 Championship Loss

It’s been over two years since the dramatic conclusion of the 2021 F1 World Championship, a saga that saw Lewis Hamilton narrowly miss out on his eighth title to Max Verstappen in a contentious Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Now, Hamilton has opened up about feeling “obviously robbed” during that fateful night in Abu Dhabi.

During the 58-lap race, Hamilton seemed poised to clinch the championship until a late-race crash involving Nicholas Latifi threw the outcome into turmoil. Decisions made by then FIA Director Michael Masi further compounded Hamilton’s misfortune, ultimately altering the course of the race.

In a recent detailed interview with GQ Sports, the 39-year-old reflected on the events of that night. “Was I robbed? Obviously. I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me. And we’d gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs. And I obviously went to congratulate Max,” Hamilton shared.

Despite his disappointment with the outcome, Hamilton emphasized the importance of his father’s support and acknowledged congratulating Verstappen on his victory.

While Hamilton remains steadfast in his belief that he was unfairly denied the championship, he admits to finding some semblance of peace with the passage of time. However, the pain still lingers whenever he revisits footage of the race.

“If I see a clip of it, I still feel it. But I’m at peace with it,” Hamilton remarked.

Having competed at the pinnacle of motor racing since 2007, Hamilton has cemented his status as a legend of the sport. Despite the setback in 2021, he continues to pursue success in F1. His anticipated move to Ferrari in 2025 is likely his final opportunity to secure an eighth title.

However, with formidable competition from drivers like Charles Leclerc and uncertainties surrounding Ferrari’s future performance, Hamilton faces an uphill battle in his quest for championship glory. Only time will tell if he can overcome these challenges and secure his place in F1 history once more.