In one of the most contentious statements, Lewis Hamilton has spoken out against former Formula 1 Race Director Michael Masi, directly blaming him for “robbing” him of the 2021 F1 World Championship in the climactic Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This explosive claim has reignited fierce debates over the race’s handling, reopening old wounds for both fans and analysts alike. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, was on the brink of an eighth title that would have seen him surpass Michael Schumacher’s record. Yet, the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which crowned Max Verstappen as the champion, remains one of the most controversial races in F1 history due to a set of last-lap decisions that continue to fuel criticism and scrutiny.
The Build-Up: A Season of Intense Rivalry
The 2021 season was marked by a nail-biting rivalry between Hamilton and Verstappen, a young, daring driver from Red Bull Racing who was on the cusp of taking his place among the sport’s elite. Their battle stretched across the globe, from Monaco to Monza, with each driver displaying remarkable skill, resilience, and tenacity. By the time the championship reached its finale in Abu Dhabi, both drivers were tied on points, setting the stage for a race that would be decided by inches, milliseconds, and ultimately, decisions beyond the drivers’ control.
With both drivers poised to make history, fans anticipated a thrilling conclusion. Little did they know, however, that it would be a final lap decided by a controversial set of decisions from Michael Masi, the then-race director, whose interpretation of the rules led to Verstappen clinching his first championship in a manner that left the motorsport community divided.
The Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Incident: What Went Down?
In the closing stages of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton led the race comfortably, seemingly on his way to securing his eighth world championship. However, with just a handful of laps remaining, a crash involving Nicholas Latifi triggered a safety car deployment, which bunched up the field. Here is where the controversy began. Under standard FIA regulations, a safety car period typically allows all lapped cars to unlap themselves before racing resumes, ensuring that all cars in contention have a fair shot in the final laps. Yet Masi made a series of decisions that many argue broke with standard protocols.
Rather than allowing all lapped cars to unlap, Masi ordered only a few between Hamilton and Verstappen to move aside. The restart, which happened with one lap left, allowed Verstappen to pull alongside Hamilton with fresher tyres, giving him an undeniable advantage. In a single lap, Verstappen overtook Hamilton, clinching the title and leaving Mercedes and its fans in utter disbelief. Masi’s decision—perceived as a deviation from established procedure—left Hamilton and his supporters with a lingering sense of injustice that remains unresolved.
Lewis Hamilton’s Statement: “I Was Robbed”
Recently, Hamilton did not hold back in expressing his discontent. “I was robbed of the F1 championship win,” Hamilton stated in a recent interview, pointing directly at Masi’s handling of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Hamilton described the experience as one of the most shocking moments in his career and expressed frustration over what he considers to be a breach of sporting integrity. “There’s no doubt in my mind that the title should have been mine,” he said, adding that Masi’s actions in those final laps made him feel “helpless.”
Hamilton’s criticism of Masi’s decisions has once again split the Formula 1 community. For supporters of the British driver, Hamilton’s claims reflect a truth that has been glaringly obvious since that fateful night in Abu Dhabi. They believe that Masi’s decision was influenced by the pressure to create a dramatic end to the season, sacrificing fairness for spectacle. For others, Hamilton’s statements are seen as another reminder of the immense pressure and unpredictability that surrounds racing, where decisions, however flawed, ultimately shape the sport.
The FIA’s Response and Masi’s Departure
In response to the outrage, the FIA launched an internal review into the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This led to Masi’s eventual departure as Formula 1 race director, a move that some saw as a tacit acknowledgement of mistakes made. In a statement released at the time, the FIA acknowledged “human error” while noting that Masi had acted within the scope of his role, which allowed him some latitude in enforcing race protocols. However, the FIA also implemented new measures to prevent similar controversies, including the establishment of a remote race operations centre and revising race restart procedures.
For Hamilton, however, these actions came too little, too late. His recent statements reflect a deep-seated frustration that these changes were reactionary rather than proactive. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff echoed Hamilton’s sentiments, suggesting that the team was not satisfied with the FIA’s response and questioning whether the changes in race direction were enough to restore trust.
The Debate: Spectacle Versus Integrity
Hamilton’s claims have sparked a critical debate on the balance between entertainment and sporting integrity in Formula 1. The final lap at Abu Dhabi was thrilling to watch and garnered record-breaking viewership, but at what cost? Critics argue that Masi’s decision set a dangerous precedent, where the pressure to create an “exciting” end overshadowed fair play. Formula 1 has always been a sport of calculated risks, where rules govern every aspect of competition. By seemingly deviating from these rules, Masi’s handling of the race effectively altered the outcome of a hard-fought championship, critics argue.
Those who defend Masi, however, assert that he was operating under unprecedented pressure, with millions of eyes on him and an entire season coming down to one final lap. They argue that while Masi’s decision was unconventional, it did not necessarily amount to favouritism or unfairness. According to this perspective, the responsibility lies with the FIA to ensure its protocols can withstand such intense scrutiny and complex situations, rather than with individual race directors like Masi, who must make split-second decisions.
The Psychological Impact on Hamilton
For Hamilton, the aftermath of the 2021 season has been marked by introspection and resilience. In his interview, he spoke candidly about the toll that the Abu Dhabi race took on him, both professionally and personally. Known for his composure and mental strength, Hamilton admitted that the controversial loss challenged him in ways he had never before experienced. He shared how he leaned on family, close friends, and his fans to rebuild his confidence and redirect his focus on the seasons that followed.
The psychological impact of losing a record-breaking title under such circumstances is not to be underestimated. Hamilton’s resilience in returning to the track, his continued push for diversity within the sport, and his dedication to advocating for environmental and social causes highlight his enduring commitment to Formula 1, even after one of the most controversial finishes in the sport’s history.
The Legacy of Abu Dhabi 2021: A Sport Changed Forever
The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has undoubtedly left an indelible mark on Formula 1. It has exposed cracks within the sport’s rule enforcement and raised questions about how much influence external factors—like viewership and commercial appeal—should have over racing decisions. Hamilton’s remarks are a reminder that the consequences of that race extend beyond a single championship; they have fueled a demand for greater transparency, fairness, and consistency in the sport.
Looking forward, Formula 1 and the FIA must grapple with these challenges if they wish to rebuild trust and ensure that future championships are remembered for the athletes’ skills rather than officiating controversies. The implementation of new race management technologies and protocols is a start, but as Hamilton’s statements indicate, these measures may not be enough to dispel the spectre of Abu Dhabi 2021.
: An Unresolved Chapter
Lewis Hamilton’s statements about being “robbed” of the championship underscore the enduring bitterness that the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has left in its wake. For Hamilton and his fans, the outcome of that race represents a miscarriage of justice, a blemish on the sport’s integrity. Meanwhile, for Verstappen’s supporters and those who emphasise the unpredictability of Formula 1, the 2021 finale is seen as part of the sport’s drama and intensity.
As Formula 1 continues to evolve, the legacy of Abu Dhabi 2021 will undoubtedly remain a cautionary tale and a point of reference in the sport’s history. For Hamilton, who is still in pursuit of a record-breaking eighth championship, this unresolved chapter serves as both motivation and a reminder of the complex realities of professional racing. The question of whether he was indeed “robbed” of the title will likely continue to be debated for years to come, shaping the narrative of one of the most iconic rivalries in F1 history.