F1 | Abu Dhabi GP | Hamilton labels 2021 “the most difficult of seasons”, as he lavishes praise for his Mercedes team
The 7-times world champion couldn’t add to his championship tally in 2021, after losing out in a season long battle with Max Verstappen, ultimately decided on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi GP, following a late safety car.
Lewis Hamilton had won 6 out of the 7 championships in the hybrid era of F1, which started in 2014, with his only loss being to teammate Nico Rosberg, at the Abu Dhabi GP in 2016. 5 years on, he lost another crown at the Yas Marina Circuit, this time to fierce title rival Max Verstappen, from Red Bull.
A late race crash for Nicholas Latifi meant the safety car was deployed with just a handful of laps to go, handing the advantage to Verstappen, who pitted for new, soft (C5) tyres, and was able to attack and get past the Mercedes when the race eventually restarted.
Speaking directly after the race, Hamilton made sure to congratulate Verstappen and Red Bull on their triumph, before praising his Mercedes team and their efforts throughout the 2021 campaign:
“Firstly, a big congratulations to Max [Verstappen] and to his team.
“I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone back at the factory, all the men and women we have here, worked so hard this whole year. It’s been the most difficult of seasons, and I’m so proud of them, so grateful to be a part of the journey with them.
“We gave it everything. This last part of the season we gave it absolutely everything, and we never gave up. That’s the most important thing.”
A monumental effort by a history-making driver
— Formula 1 (@F1) December 12, 2021
Thank you, Lewis, for helping to make this season extra special#AbuDhabiGP 🇦🇪 #F1 pic.twitter.com/VYyP4CtInd
Even if he ultimately didn’t take the crown, Hamilton showed satisfaction with his late season performance, stating that he “felt great” in his Mercedes W12:
“I’ve been feeling good – great – in the car in these past couple of months, particularly at the end [of the season].”
The Briton then proceeded with an admirable act, to send a positive message for the crowd and the fans watching on TV, wishing happy festivities for people, amid these hard times we’re living in this Coronavirus pandemic:
“If I’m honest, we’re still in a pandemic, and I just want to really wish for everyone to stay safe and have a good Christmas with all their families.
“We’ll see about next year.”
