Hamilton Reveals 'Defining Moment' Of His Life Associated With 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
F1Tuesday, 02 April 2024 at 07:46
Updated at Tuesday, 02 April 2024 at 07:56
The seven-time World Champion discussed the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the defining moment of his life associated with that race weekend.
Some fans argue until this day on whether Lewis Hamilton or Max Verstappen whould have won the final race of the 2021 season at Yas Marina Circuit.
The Dutchman obviously won, and Hamilton recently said he holds no grudges against the Red Bull Racing driver for that. Moreover, the 39-year-old said he would have done the same thing in his position.
However, when he was asked in the most recent interview if that race felt like he was being "robbed," the seven-time World Champion told GQ Magazine:
"Was I robbed? Obviously. I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me.
"And we'd gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs. And the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, keep your head high."
Despite their disappointment and feelings that it wasn't fair, the 39-year-old and his father went to congratulate Max Verstappen, Jos Verstappen, and Christian Horner, thus showing commendable sportsmanship.
Red Bull Racing's team principal previously described his engagement with Hamilton right after the race, which wasn't caught on cameras.
He applauded the number 44 driver for having the good grace to come shake his hand and say well done after such disappointment. Hamilton continued:
"And I obviously went to congratulate Max, and not realizing the impact that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there's a mini-me watching."
"This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it. I didn't know how it was going to be perceived. "I hadn't, like, visualized it. But I was definitely conscious of: these next 50 meters that I walk is where I fall to the ground and die – or I rise up."
When asked whether he still fixates on the outcome of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Mercedes driver responded: "If I see a clip of it, I still feel it, but I'm at peace with it."
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