Lewis Hamilton reiterates F1 title was ‘manipulated’ ahead of Abu Dhabi return

Lewis Hamilton has doubled down on his claim that last year’s title decider was “manipulated” ahead of F1’s first return to Abu Dhabi since the infamous 2021 race.

Formula 1 is heading back to the scene of arguably its most dramatic and controversial title showdown as the 2022 season concludes at the Yas Marina circuit in Abu Dhabi. Following an epic, season-long title fight between the pair, Lewis Hamilton looked to set to win the 2021 race, claim a record-breaking eighth F1 title and deny Max Verstappen of his first.

However, a late-race crash by Nicholas Latifi brought out the safety car, which changed everything. Then race director Michael Masi’s incorrect handling of the safety car period saw him allow only the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to un-lap themselves. He then restarted the race too soon, allowing Verstappen, on fresher tyres, to muscle past Hamilton and take the championship.

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Masi lost his job as a result and eventually left the sport’s governing body, the FIA, altogether but the result was not overturned.

Ahead of last weekend’s Sao Paulo Grand Prix, the scene of his maiden F1 title, Hamilton looked back on the dramatic 2008 Brazilian race with Timo Glock – the man he passed on the last lap to secure the crown – for Sky Sports.

Following a late rain shower, Hamilton lost the fifth place he needed to Sebastian Vettel but with Toyota’s Glock struggling on dry tyres, he was able to regain the position he needed to beat Felipe Massa to the title.

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Asked by Glock if there were any similarities between the two title deciders, Hamilton was clear.

“No, it was different,” said Hamilton thoughtfully. “It was different because this one [2008] wasn’t manipulated by anybody. Someone made a decision for that result [in Abu Dhabi] to be the way it was, basically.

“There are similarities between the pain of losing in 2007 [when Hamilton was pipped to the title by Kimi Raikkonen] and the last three laps [in 2008] – I had lost it basically – a similar kind of horrible feeling in your heart and your spirit.”

After being passed by Verstappen in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton said over team radio: "This has been manipulated, man!"

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