The 2021 F1 season kept every fan on the edge of their seats till the very end. When Lewis Hamilton was heading towards a historic victory in the penultimate Abu Dhabi race, a controversial decision changed it all. Hamilton, starting from second, was quick to take the lead. However, when Briton was about to rewrite history, Williams Nicholas Latifi crashed.
The FIA race director, Michael Masi, initially instructed that lapped cars (those between Hamilton and Verstappen) would not be allowed to un-lap themselves before the restart. This would have meant Verstappen had to overtake several lapped cars to catch Hamilton. In a sudden decision, Masi allowed only the five lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to un-lap themselves, leaving Hamilton and Verstappen nose-to-tail for a one-lap shootout. Guenther Steiner has bashed this decision in his recent book Unfiltered.
Guenther Steiner Throws Verbal Punches At FIA
Guenther Steiner didn’t hold back when discussing the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale. He bluntly labeled the event a “s*** show of biblical proportions” from a regulatory perspective despite the entertainment it provided. Steiner reflected on the late FIA Race Director Charlie Whiting, suggesting that had Whiting been in charge, Lewis Hamilton would now be an eight-time World Champion. The controversy surrounding that race sparked endless debate and marked a significant downturn in Hamilton’s career. Since that fateful day, Hamilton has struggled to reclaim the dominance he once had.
Despite the challenges, Hamilton, now 39, broke a lengthy winless streak this year, securing victories at both the British and Belgian Grands Prix. In a surprising twist, Hamilton confirmed his departure from Mercedes, announcing that he would join Scuderia Ferrari in 2025. After 11 incredible years with Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS, Hamilton expressed a mix of emotions, acknowledging that it was the hardest decision of his career.
Hamilton reflected on his journey with Mercedes, a team he joined at the age of 13, and the extraordinary achievements they reached together. From winning world titles to breaking records, Hamilton and Mercedes created the most successful Driver-Team partnership in F1 history. He also paid tribute to the late Niki Lauda, a mentor and key figure in his career, whose influence and support he still deeply misses.
Ex-Ferrari Driver Backs Lewis Hamilton To Lift His Eighth WDC Title
Nigel Mansell, a legendary figure in Formula One, has long been a fan of Lewis Hamilton and even predicted early on that Hamilton would become one of the sport’s all-time greats. As Hamilton prepares for the final phase of his career with Ferrari, Mansell sees it as a “magical step” for the seven-time World Champion.
Mansell expressed confidence that Hamilton, despite the criticism he’s often faced, will be able to rise to the occasion. In Mansell’s view, if Ferrari can provide Hamilton with a competitive car, the British driver will deliver results. He believes this move will reignite Hamilton’s motivation, giving him a fresh challenge that will push him to new heights.
Mansell also anticipates that Hamilton will be a strong contender for the World Championship in 2025, rejuvenated by his new surroundings and the iconic charm of Ferrari. Although he acknowledged Hamilton’s eccentric side, Mansell emphasized that Hamilton is a “class act,” capable of rising to the challenge and delivering another stellar chapter in his already illustrious career.
