The sting runs deep

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton: “I was robbed”

Two and a half years have passed since the dramatic Formula 1 final in Abu Dhabi between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The wounds are still not completely healed, as Lewis Hamilton has now made clear once again. "I was robbed," the Mercedes driver is still convinced.

Background: In the final round of the season, Hamilton, who had been in the lead in the Mercedes up to that point, lost the title to Red Bull driver Verstappen. This was preceded by a controversial decision by race director Michael Masi not to allow all the lapped cars that were between Hamilton and Verstappen at the end of a safety car phase to lap back. Verstappen took advantage of this situation, overtook Hamilton on fresh tires and clinched his first world championship title.

Father always by his side
The Brit missed out on becoming the sole record holder with eight titles, which still bothers him today: "Was I robbed? Obviously. I mean, you know the story." At least his father was by his side, which helped the now 39-year-old to pick himself up. "We went through the rollercoaster ride of life together, and on that day of all days, when I felt the most pain, he was with me. And he always made it clear to me that I always had to get back up and never let him get me down."

Despite the enormous disappointment, Hamilton was a fair loser and congratulated his rival immediately after the race. Even if things looked very different inside the Brit's head. "Of course I went over to Max to congratulate him. That was a decisive moment in my life. I was clear about it - either I'm going to keel over and die or I'm going to pull myself together. When I see pictures of that night today, I still feel it. But I'm at peace with it."