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Since 2000, Bernd Mayländer has sat on the front row of the Grand Prix as a Formula 1 safety car driver. He’s seen some contentious matches, but the 2021 Championship finale in Abu Dhabi is always worth talking about. Mayländer has now explained how he sees his position in this situation.
The 2021 Formula 1 season is like no other.Hamilton and Verstappen enter last game The points are the same. There, it initially looked like Hamilton would win his eighth title. But due to a late safety car and a controversial decision by race control, Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap to become Formula 1 world champion for the first time.
How did Mayländer experience Abu Dhabi 2021?
Mehland was directly involved in the race as a safety driver.he to Automotive Motors and Motion How he experienced the game in Abu Dhabi:
“I talked to my co-pilot Richard [Darker] It was about two or three laps before the accident… so he leaned more towards Verstappen and I leaned more towards Mercedes. It changes during the season. I said it would be nice if someone became a champion.
“Then, in the final game [in 2021], I think it’s really amazing how Hamilton came back after he didn’t look like him. There are also some overtaking maneuvers of the Max, which I don’t think are very good. Well, it’s just a new generation.
“Then I thought about how I rate myself as a racing driver. I found some of the moves a little too harsh, but that’s what it is. I’m not holding grudges there either.
“and then [in Abu Dhabi], which has been done for me. Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes won for the eighth time.Even if that would break Michael’s [Schumacher] A record of seven world titles, well, that’s it. “
The situation changes in seconds
“He’s doing fine, everything is fine actually. And then suddenly there’s a loud bang and I know: well, in that position, this kind of accident, This must be the safety car phase. And then I know, well, now there’s another situation.
“Then I thought: well, it’s over. This would happen even without classifying the car in the middle. Then Max would have done the overtaking maneuver two corners later. They could have gotten a blue flag for the overtaking .”
Challenge to make Formula 1
For Mayländer, coping with failure is a sport:
“That’s what makes sports so challenging. Afterwards, I took a step back and did some self-reflection. I hope no reporter calls me for the next few days. I didn’t turn off my phone, but I didn’t answer some number because I know, well, fine, I’m going to get questions like this.
“I just want to make my own decision. Do I like it or not? After a few days, I said, no, actually everything is fine. Both teams deserve the championship. Max is obviously the last lucky one, the team Had a great year. So did everyone else, of course. But Lewis lost his last bit of luck. That’s the way sports are.
“We have to remember that we’re talking about sport. I’m a sportsman and I can live with this situation. But of course, I have to find the right way. I don’t care who wins Sunday’s game; the main thing is that we see a great exercise.
“The sport has steadily improved and even gotten better over the last few years. That’s what attracts me. At work, you’re a part of it. You can’t influence anything, but you can get through the safety car phase in the blink of an eye. It can bring good luck or bad luck. But, well: safety first.”
Mayländer concludes
However, Melander admitted he had to live with the situation. He didn’t see Verstappen cross the finish line first.
“We pulled in on the last lap, so I knew I didn’t need to go back to where I usually parked. Then I went straight into the parc fermé, where I’d normally be last in normal circumstances, but then I got there first .
“Then I ducked by the car a little bit as usual, just as the last [to enter parc fermé], get out of the car and wear a helmet to entertain. After the treat, sat behind the harbor and didn’t even see the tail. Because I just have to think about what just happened. It was clear that Max had overtaken; I could hear a lot going on on the track over the noise.
“Well, ‘That’s racing’, so I found my way. You can look at a situation or a decision one way or another. There has been a lot of talk about it. I can accept the decision as to the end result. For me, they were both well-deserved world champions. Only on that day, Max had better luck, or a lot better luck. Bottom line: everything is fine.”
We’re curious to see if Bernd Mayländer has something similar to cover this year’s title fight.
Credit: Qian Jun/MB Media via Getty Images
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