The scandalous 2021 Abu Dhabi GP will go down as the worst moment of Lewis Hamilton’s glorious Formula One career. He was robbed of his record-breaking eighth championship title owing to a controversial mistake on the race director’s end. It largely seemed that the rules were tweaked to deny Lewis Hamilton a championship win.
Subsequently, the questionable decision cost race director Michael Masi his job. But the scars still continue to haunt not only Lewis Hamilton but also Mercedes to date. Having said that, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, who largely benefited from Masi’s objectionable decision, recalled the after-race scenes and lauded Hamilton’s demeanor.
Christian Horner Reveals Lewis Hamilton Shook Hands Despite Losing Record Title At 2021 Abu Dhabi GP
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix saw crazy scenes unfold as questionable race directives during the final lap shootout denied Lewis Hamilton his eighth championship title. Hamilton and Max Verstappen were close in the drivers’ championship table. Thus, the final round turned into a title-defining Grand Prix. While Lewis maintained a healthy lead throughout the race, a safety car helped Verstappen close the gap and hop on new tryes. Moreover, Masi’s instructions to let only the lapped car between Hamilton and Verstappen overtake the safety car helped the Red Bull’s driver edge past the Mercedes ace on the final corner. Meanwhile, the Briton was taken aback and looked completely shattered after the race. He dragged himself out of the car and looked broken.
However, even in the most devastating times, Lewis Hamilton maintained his grace and dignity. Red Bull boss Christian Horner recently revealed that the British driver shook hands with him in the cool-down room and even congratulated him for the win. Horner was surprised to see Hamilton’s calm demeanor at a time when he was robbed of his record-breaking championship. The team boss reckoned that it’s an act of utmost respect and not everyone is capable of that. “I felt the way that Lewis handled that disappointment after the race, hats off to him,” Horner told Sky Sports. Not only did Lewis Hamilton shake hands with Horner, but he also congratulated Max Verstappen and stood throughout the podium processing without expressing any sense of anger or disappointment. While the scars may never leave Hamilton’s back, his act of dignity and humility will serve as an inspiration for generations to come.
Horner Opens Up On Privileges Offered To Drivers Of Verstappen-Hamilton Pedigree
While discussing team dynamics, Red Bull team principal Christian Horner claimed that often, a more successful driver gets the privilege of having a say in team orders. While Max Verstappen earns that privilege in Red Bull, Lewis Hamilton is Mercedes’ number one driver.
“Of course, there will be certain privileges that are allowed to your center forward, your star player,” said Horner. However, Christian Horner added that communication is necessary to ensure smooth functioning within the team. He highlighted how Verstappen and Perez clashed in the past due to a lack of pre-race communication. But he insists that such cases won’t happen in the future.
