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Lewis Hamilton has to deal not only with losing his 2021 world title under contentious circumstances, but also with a “big and ugly” world number one who has sat on the grid all season.
It’s like “as big as you can tell,” he laughs.
On this day 12 months ago, Hamilton was heading towards a record-breaking eighth world title, with the Mercedes driver ahead of Max Weiss in the winner-takes-all season finale in Abu Dhabi Tappan for seconds.
Then came the late safety car, which changed everything, including the outcome of the race and the title fight.
Then race director Michael Massey made the unprecedented call to allow only some of the cars, the one between leader Hamilton and second-placed Verstappen, to untangle themselves. That was only five of eight people, the others were not approved.
With Hamilton battling Verstappen and his new soft on more than 40 laps of old tyres, the Red Bull driver attacked Turn 5 to take the lead, winning the race and claiming the world title.
Unlike Hamilton, New world champion chooses to put number ‘1’ on his car Instead of sticking with his racing number 33.
“I think it’s definitely not easy,” Hamilton recalled to Sky F1 in qualifying this year as he lost out to Verstappen.
“I think it’s more like an ugly tuba, as big as it can go, in a car.
“No, I’m kidding, I’m not as bothered by these things as some people think. They say things and do things that expect a response, but I’m really just apathetic and I don’t really care about those things .”
Unfortunately for Hamilton, 2022 doesn’t give him a chance to fight back as Mercedes lost the first half of the season to their dolphin problem Verstappen easily clinched his second world title.
It was the first time Hamilton hadn’t won a race in 16 seasons.
“Of course, I’d love to be at the forefront and fight alongside them,” he added. “It’s been an interesting journey to see what they’ve been through.
“So, again, just turning around my negativity, I try to put it aside and move on.”
Moving forward is exactly what Mercedes and their fans are hoping for next season and, as it stands, this is Hamilton’s last contract with Mercedes.
However, the Englishman and his team owner Toto Wolff, A new deal is expected to be finalized in winterIt’s a stark contrast to last winter, when fans and pundits were unsure whether Hamilton would set foot on the Formula 1 paddock again.
The seven-time world champion said it was the outpouring of support that kept him chasing Abu Dhabi.
“I definitely didn’t expect the amazing support from fans of the sport, especially mine and the general love I’ve experienced over the course of a year,” he said.
I think that’s what got me through the challenging year, coming back here and wanting to fight back but not being able to fight back with the car we had.
“And then on the same weekend, fighting for your fifth even though you might finish sixth, and the amazing support we’ve had throughout the year, bigger crowds than ever before.
“I think as a team we’ve felt more love and affection from people than ever before. I think it’s really, really good looking.
“In general, I can’t say average, but I know some people in life have a hard time accepting love. I’ve definitely been one of those people for a long time.
“So this year is the year I’ve been able to, like open up a little bit more and absorb it, and it’s been a really beautiful experience. So I’m really grateful for that.”
read more: READ MORE: Abu Dhabi, one year on: Why Formula 1 is the real loser
article Lewis Hamilton jokes about worst thing to happen after Abu Dhabi 2021 Olympics appeared first on Planetf1.com.
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