“Lewis Hamilton reacted maturely” – Former Red Bull driver claims 103 GP winner’s reaction after 2021 Abu Dhabi GP replicated the persona of Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna

Lewis Hamilton was denied his 8th World Championship title after a controversial ruling which caused a massive uproar in the F1 community. The safety car ruling by the then-F1 race director allowed Max Verstappen to overtake Lewis in the last lap to claim his first title.

The race had a significant impact on Hamilton who took an extended break from social media. The Briton posted no pictures and was totally off the grid.

This sparked rumours that Hamilton might have considered retirement from the sport. But he returned back in the public eye ahead of Mercedes’s 2022 car launch.

 

What Hamilton went through after the race might be difficult to comprehend for an F1 fan. But Former Red Bull driver David Coulthard feels the 103 GP winner handled the break in the right way.

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David Coulthard on Hamilton’s reaction after the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

While Max Verstappen celebrated the success of his first title, Lewis Hamilton disappeared from social media presence. He took the time off to recoup after a long season and losing the title in a dramatic way.

In an event, former Red Bull driver David Coulthard was asked about his perspective on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. And if any of F1’s legends like Michael Schumacher or Ayrton Senna would have reacted the way Lewis did.

Coulthard answered, “All these drivers and legends had different personalities. But I would like to believe, in my motorsport heart, that there was enough competitive respect.”

DC claims that even between rivalries like Prost & Senna or Schumacher & Hakkinnen, there was always mutual respect between drivers. And that must be there if a title was to be decided like 2021 was.

He adds, “In the end, there was always a handshake. A bit like boxers, who beat the hell out of their opponents and then shake hands and cover in the end. Because there is an underlying understanding of what it has taken to get to that level.”

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David Coulthard applauds Lewis Hamilton for acting with maturity

David Coulthard has appreciated Lewis Hamilton for his composure in the aftermath of losing the title. Lewis acted gracefully and even shook hands with Max, congratulating the Dutchman after the race ended.

But the Scottsman claims a major factor was his age. As Hamilton was a far more seasoned driver, he chose to be calm and responsible with his actions.

Coulthard claims, “The way Lewis Hamilton reacted was fantastic. Maybe if he was younger it would have been more different to do that. But he is at the end of his career, in his late thirties. And with age comes maturity”

But Coulthard himself claims he would be having non of it had he been in Hamilton’s place. “I would have kicked off. I’d still be complaining [in the] European Court of Appeal,” he adds.

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