The biggest controversy in F1’s recent history has been the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. In the final minutes of the race, the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was denied to win another title after some questionable decisions by then-race director Michael Masi.
The decision he took, Hamilton, was absent from the public eye for a couple of months. It also propelled the FIA to sack Masi from his position and make reforms in their system.
Several F1 fans feel it was unfair towards Hamilton, and his fans are still bitter about that night. Even over a year after that night, it’s still been talked about.
Lewis Hamilton fans should move on
F1 commentator David Croft admits that it was a big mistake by Masi. However, he believes that mistakes are likely to happen while drawing a comparison to a Premier League match between West Ham and Arsenal. He advises Hamilton fans to move on from that incident now.
“My theory is always that mistakes happen,” said Croft to Pitstop Podcast. “We don’t like it but we have to accept it. I find very difficult with Abu Dhabi that is the reluctance for people to accept to what happened has happened and now it’s time to move on.”
Ahead of the last race of the 2022 season, Lewis spoke on the support he received from Team LH after the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 💜#TEAMLH pic.twitter.com/oCiDPT2p5l
— Team LH (@Team_LH) December 13, 2022
He further urges that neither Jean Todt nor Red Bull pushed Masi to give Verstappen the championship in 2021. He thinks Masi was alone and responsible for that error.
2022 nowhere brought the 2021 stiff competition
Despite the questionable end, the 2021 season was surely among the most exciting seasons in a long time. Almost after a decade, two different teams vied for a title till the last day of the season.
Taking it down the wire brought out all the passion of drivers and fans. However, the 2022 season was totally the opposite to it. Though the season gave a promising start with Ferrari and Red Bull battling in the start, the Italian team soon tripped down in their performances.
In contrast, Red Bull converted on Ferrari’s mistakes and soon found themselves in a massive lead against the rest of the grid. The entire championship was wrapped before F1 visited Austin for the US Grand Prix.
Now, ahead of the 2023 season, Mercedes are expected to make a comeback, while Ferrari claims to bolster its engine. If true, Red Bull may not find next year so easy.
