The 2021 Formula 1 season has left a lot of fans in shock. The season was as unpredictable as it gets. In the end, Lewis Hamilton lost to Max Verstappen who took the WDC in a controversial way that will not be forgotten any time soon. Real Madrid star, Jude Bellingham also couldn’t believe what he saw.
“I honestly sat there looking lost,” Jude Bellingham told the media “I didn’t believe what I was seeing. I think the championship should have been awarded to Sir Lewis Hamilton,”
Throughout the 2021 season, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton had the biggest battle of their lives. None of the 2 drivers had a more intense battle in their career. The only instances that come close for Lewis Hamilton are in 2007 and 2016.
🚨‼️ Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham reveals his feelings about the 2021 Formula One Championship: ” I honestly sat there looking lost, I didn’t believe what I was seeing. I think the championship should have been awarded to Sir Lewis Hamilton.” @marca #LewisHamilton #F1 #AD21 pic.twitter.com/WYMnXjBeLS
— defne (@44msc) September 5, 2023
In the final race of the 2021 season, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen were level on points. Although Max Verstappen started in pole position, Lewis took the lead as the lights went off to start the Grand Prix. Throughout the race, the Briton showed his pace and established a good lead. However, a safety car was deployed in the last few laps of the race.
Behind the safety car, Max Verstappen had the advantage with fresher tires. Mercedes and Hamilton took the gamble that the race wouldn’t restart. However, in order to have a lap of racing, the race director, Michael Masi disregarded the safety car procedures. Max Verstappen took the WDC while Hamilton had to settle for first place.
There is no doubt that the 7-time Champion would have won his 8th Championship if the safety car procedures had been followed. But we cannot take away the credit from Max Verstappen. Both drivers drove beautifully throughout the season and deserved to win the Championship.
The infamous Abu Dhabi GP radio exchange feat. Lewis Hamilton
Even before the race ended, there were a lot of radio messages between Toto Wolff and Michael Masi. As soon as it was announced that the safety car would be ending without following the proper procedures, Toto Wolff came on to the radio to speak to the race director, Michael Masi.
He first said, “Michael this isn’t right”. After the safety car ended and Max had overtaken Lewis Hamilton, Toto once again came on the radio and said “Michael, that was so not right”. Once the race ended with Max Verstappen as Champion, Toto said “You need to reinstate the lap before. That’s not right.” To this, Michael finally gave a response. “Toto, it’s called a motor race. We went car racing.”
Joya de TEAM RADIO. ”Llora como un niño lo que no has sabido defender como un hombre”
– Michael Masi a Toto Wolff. pic.twitter.com/hXbiDjLbOn
— Lucho Figo RM (@lstorrg1or1a) December 17, 2021
Toto was not the only one to be upset. Lewis Hamilton also expressed his disappointment in the radio. As Max Verstappen overtook him, Lewis said “This is a bit manipulative man”. After crossing the line, Hamilton’s race engineer Bono came on the radio and said “I’m just speechless Lewis”. Since crossing the line, Lewis stayed silent throughout. He was definitely having a hard time processing what had just happened. Michael Masi, the race director for that race, was asked to step down from his position after an investigation by the FIA.
The 7-time Champion thought that his name was already written on the 8th Championship. However, Max Verstappen won it on the final lap of the race. Since then, Mercedes and himself have been trying to get their car back in contention to try and win the Championship. Lewis signed a 2-year contract extension with Mercedes to give him more time to win a Championship.
Will Lewis Hamilton be able to break Michael Schumacher’s record by winning his 8th Championship? Post your answers in the comment section below.