Lewis Hamilton has given a brand new perception into his controversial 2021 System 1 title defeat to Max Verstappen, and indicated he’ll stick round to rectify issues.
Hamilton had a record-breaking eighth world title taken from him on the ultimate lap of the season final 12 months as his Dutch rival secured a jaw-dropping final gasp lunge.
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The Brit was cruising to victory and the championship with a 13 second lead earlier than a late crash provoked a sequence of unprecedented security automotive calls, permitting Verstappen to move.
Mercedes protested the selections within the aftermath, whereas Hamilton disappeared from the general public eye, and now in an interview with Vainness Truthful, he has detailed precisely how the merciless defeat felt.
“You see issues begin to unfold, and my worst fears got here alive,” he mentioned. “I used to be like, there’s no manner they’re going to cheat me out of this. There’s no manner. That received’t occur. Certainly not.
“I don’t know if I can actually put into phrases the sensation that I had.
“I do keep in mind simply sitting there simply in disbelief. And realising I’ve obtained to undo my belts, I’ve obtained to get out of there, I’ve obtained to climb out of this factor, I’ve obtained to seek out the power.
“I had no power. And it was one of many hardest moments, I’d say, that I’ve had in an extended, very long time.
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“I knew what had occurred. I knew what selections had been made and why. Sure, I knew that one thing wasn’t proper.”
Race director Michael Masi was later faraway from his submit for his software of the foundations, with a report into the 2021 last declaring there was ‘human error’ however he ‘acted in good religion’.
Hamilton, although, went lacking, disappearing from social media and wasn’t noticed within the public eye once more after returning to his motorhome and leaving the Abu Dhabi observe.
Retirement rumours have been rife earlier than the 37-year-old re-emerged on the crew’s launch of their 2022 W13 contender, and he’s now acknowledged he did take into consideration leaving F1.
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“I, for positive, thought-about whether or not I wished to proceed,” he admitted.
As an alternative although, a revitalised Hamilton returned, and regardless of an intriguing and contemporary problem from his new younger celebrity teammate George Russell, the elder statesman has begun to point out he’s nonetheless the most effective in latest Grand Prix.
Nonetheless, Mercedes have struggled to cope with the tempo of championship leaders Crimson Bull and Ferrari on account of drastic aerodynamic laws for the brand new season, pretty much as good as ending Hamilton’s hopes of an instantaneous fightback towards Verstappen.
The seven-time champion described Mercedes’ bouncing points as, ‘The worst attribute I’ve ever skilled in a automotive,’ however the Brackley-based crew now appear to be coming to phrases with their points.
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Final trip in Hungary Hamilton confirmed sufficient tempo to win his first race of the season had it not been for a DRS problem throughout qualifying, and there’s hope the crew will proceed to enhance after the summer season break.
Ought to Mercedes meet up with Crimson Bull and Ferrari for the second half of the season, it should nearly definitely be too little too late for a title cost, that means Hamilton must wait till subsequent 12 months to aim to maneuver one away from Michael Schumacher on a document eight world titles.
Hamilton’s present contract with Mercedes expires on the finish of 2023 which suggests to some that subsequent 12 months will probably be a last shot for the 37-year-old, however as he sensationally revealed, that isn’t the case.
“I’ll be mendacity if I mentioned that I hadn’t considered extending,” he mentioned.
“I’m nonetheless on the mission, I’m nonetheless loving driving, I’m nonetheless being challenged by it. So I don’t actually really feel like I’ve to present it up anytime quickly.”
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