Horner Describes Encounter With Hamilton After 2021 Abu Dhabi Race Finish

Friday, 12 January 2024 at 01:00

hamilton lewis mercedes steveetherington4

Christian Horner recently described his off-camera moment with Lewis Hamilton after the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was the race that was supposed to determine the winner of the Drivers' Championship battle between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, and it did. However, it was in a quite controversial manner.

Hamilton was faster in the race and was able to create quite a comfortable gap to his rival, but a late safety car changed everything. Christian Horner told Sky Sports:

"A lot is made about the final lap. But Mercedes went into that race, and they were quicker than us. In the Grand Prix, Lewis was able to manage the gap to Max pretty comfortably, but then they went very defensive, they went very conservative."

Read also

Hamilton Looked 'Quite Frustrated' According To Albers

As the safety car was triggered, Mercedes couldn't risk pitting Hamilton because if Verstappen then didn't pit, he would overtake the Mercedes driver, and if the race was finished behind the safety car, Hamilton would lose.

"They left Lewis out on a set of tires that were 43 laps old, so he was only ever a Safety Car [away from being] hugely exposed. I think in being defensive, they exposed themselves to the situation that unfolded."

The race directors then made a couple of controversial decisions which are disputed until today. Nevertheless, Max Verstappen, on much fresher tires, then overtook Hamilton, and the dream of the eighth World Championship disappeared in front of the 39-year-old.

The way everything unfolded was a massive blow to Hamilton, and he had to be immensely disappointed and angry. However, Horner described he was blown away by how the seven-time World Champion handled the situation.

"I felt the way that Lewis handled that disappointment after the race, hats off to him. Because he would have been even more disappointed."

The team principal revealed he met with the Mercedes driver right after the race (when emissions were still firm), and Hamilton had the strength in him to shake his rival's hand and congratulate his rival even after everything that happened. Horner said:

"Record-breaking World Championship has just disappeared, but he handled himself with dignity and respect. I shook his hand in the driver’s room after the race, and he had the good grace to say well done."