Hamilton sees controversial defeat in the 2021 Formula 1 championship as a decisive event.

Lewis Hamilton, British driver for the Mercedes AMG F1 team, opened up about his reaction to losing the 2021 Formula 1 championship. He described it as a significant moment in his life and handled it with grace. Before the final race in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was tied on points with Max Verstappen. Despite dominating the race, a crash by Nicholas Latifi led to the Safety Car intervention, allowing Verstappen to pit for new tires. Controversial decisions by the race director ultimately led to Verstappen overtaking Hamilton and winning the championship. Hamilton admitted that the race made him consider retiring from F1, but credited his father for providing support during the tough time. He felt robbed of the opportunity to claim his eighth championship, but emphasized the importance of having his father by his side. Hamilton also acknowledged the impact his actions would have on younger fans who look up to him. He described the moment as a defining one in his life, where he had to choose between falling to the ground or overcoming the disappointment. Although he still feels the impact when he watches clips of the race, Hamilton has made peace with the outcome. Since the regulation change in 2022, Mercedes has been facing difficulties, with only one victory and Hamilton failing to increase his record of wins. This season marks Hamilton’s final campaign with Mercedes, as he announced his move to Ferrari in 2025. He has been frustrated with the inconsistent performance of the Mercedes W15 car, resulting in a low score so far.