Mercedes’ star Lewis Hamilton was on his way to becoming the first eight-time champion in the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when things came crashing down. It has been a couple of years since the traumatic finale for Hamilton happened. On December 12, 2021, Max Verstappen dethroned the seven-time champion in controversial circumstances. Lately, the Mercedes car has really let Lewis Hamilton and the fans down. That’s why fans wonder if Hamilton can move to Red Bull to have a better chance of winning another title.
But in the middle of the 2023 season, the seven-time champion signed a two-year extension with Mercedes. However, the question remains: when will Mercedes build the fastest car again for Hamiton to clinch his eighth title? Recently, Christian Horner accused his rival team of letting Lewis Hamilton down in Abu Dhabi a couple of years ago.
Why Does Horner Think Mercedes Messed Up In The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP?
Lately, in an interview with A League Of Their Own gameshow of Sky, the Red Bull boss said Mercedes made a strategic error. Horner said the German team left Hamilton exposed on old hard tires for the restart on December 12, 2021. Previously, the gameshow host asked the Red Bull boss why F1 Motorsport was so notorious among the sport’s enthusiasts. In response, Christian Horner laughed and said that he has no idea why. Anyway, Horner continued to call Hamilton “Poor Lewis.” The Red Bull boss said Mercedes really messed up the final race of 2021 for Lewis Hamilton.
On the other hand, Red Bull had pitted with Verstappen, and so he was on fresh tires. Eventually, the Dutchman made the move, and the rest changed the history. Moreover, Horner added that Verstappen was driving with a cramp on his left leg. That’s the reason why Verstappen made a move up the inside. Later, Max Verstappen caught Lewis Hamilton completely by surprise when he passed him. After the race, Verstappen told his team that he was not able to feel his left foot and then decided to go for it anyway.
Will Lewis Hamilton Win His Eighth Title?
It was also a Tuesday that saw the Briton lose to the Dutch sensation. But the race was so controversial that the end of the 2021 season saw the FIA firing the race director. Michael Masi illegitimately allowed cars that moved ahead of Hamilton while the safety car was on the road to resume the race from their new position. It was an unfair way for the Lewis Hamilton domination to come to an end.
Fans wanted more of the “Hammer Time.” They wanted to see the great champion win the coveted eighth title. After two years from that tragic 2021 Abu Dhabi GP, fans wonder if ever Hamilton will win even a race again. The seven-time champion has been winless since he last won the penultimate race of the 2021 season in Saudi Arabia. He had a few P2 finishes this season, but not close enough to beat Max Verstappen.
