Lewis Hamilton Red Bull was kind in defeat after rival Max Verstappen The safety-car assisted for championship glory at the end of the season ended Britain’s quest for an unprecedented eighth Formula One title with a last-lap pass Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday.
The 36-year-old, who started in second place with pole-sitter Verstappen, appeared to be in well control of the race after taking the lead in the first corner and avoiding the clearance to stay ahead by taking the run-off in the opening-lap . Fight with your Red Bull opponent.
But a safety car five laps from the end, which allowed Verstappen to pit for new tyres, turned the race on its head and ended Hamilton’s hopes of becoming the first driver to win eight world championships.
“First of all, a big congratulations to Max and his team,” said Hamilton, his eyes moist after the race.
“I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone in the factory … all the men and women … have worked so hard this whole year. This has been the hardest of the season.
“I am very proud of him, very grateful to be a part of the journey with him,” said the Briton, who has won the title for the past four years in a row and finished the season with eight wins over Red Bull rivals 10.
But, even as Verstappen celebrated and Hamilton suffered a loss, the Briton’s Mercedes team filed two safety-car protests.
One was to pull along with Verstappen and overtake Hamilton; Second with the resumption of racing.
Race control initially stated that the lapped cars, acting as a buffer between Hamilton and Verstappen, would not be allowed to overtake, much to Red Bull’s dismay.
But he later decided to let him go, putting Verstappen on Hamilton’s tail for one final flat-out lap, with the Dutchman seizing his chance to pass Hamilton for the lead on his newly soft tyres. took.
“We gave it our all, this last part of the season we gave it our all and we never gave up,” Hamilton said. “That’s the most important thing.”
The 36-year-old, who started in second place with pole-sitter Verstappen, appeared to be in well control of the race after taking the lead in the first corner and avoiding the clearance to stay ahead by taking the run-off in the opening-lap . Fight with your Red Bull opponent.
But a safety car five laps from the end, which allowed Verstappen to pit for new tyres, turned the race on its head and ended Hamilton’s hopes of becoming the first driver to win eight world championships.
“First of all, a big congratulations to Max and his team,” said Hamilton, his eyes moist after the race.
“I think we did an amazing job this year. My team, everyone in the factory … all the men and women … have worked so hard this whole year. This has been the hardest of the season.
“I am very proud of him, very grateful to be a part of the journey with him,” said the Briton, who has won the title for the past four years in a row and finished the season with eight wins over Red Bull rivals 10.
But, even as Verstappen celebrated and Hamilton suffered a loss, the Briton’s Mercedes team filed two safety-car protests.
One was to pull along with Verstappen and overtake Hamilton; Second with the resumption of racing.
Race control initially stated that the lapped cars, acting as a buffer between Hamilton and Verstappen, would not be allowed to overtake, much to Red Bull’s dismay.
But he later decided to let him go, putting Verstappen on Hamilton’s tail for one final flat-out lap, with the Dutchman seizing his chance to pass Hamilton for the lead on his newly soft tyres. took.
“We gave it our all, this last part of the season we gave it our all and we never gave up,” Hamilton said. “That’s the most important thing.”
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