Lewis Hamilton admits to having F1 retirement thoughts after Abu Dhabi 2021 title loss controversy
Hamilton had dominated that year’s winner-takes-all finale and was on course to w𝔉in both the race and a record eighth title before former race director Michael Masi’s incorrect application of the Safety Car rules opened the door for Verstappen.
Follo▨wing the contentious final-lap restart, Verstappen - who, with nothing to lose had pittedꦆ for fresh tyres - overtook the Mercedes driver to snatch both the race victory and his maiden world title in the process.
A visibly shell-shocked Hamilton graciously kept his composure in the immediate aftermath of the race befo🥂re disappearing from the public spotlight and entering a social media blackout over the winter.
And the seven-time world champion has now admitted he thought abo෴ut quitting F1 altogether.
"For sure, yeah," Hꦰamilton was quoted by Autosport when when asked if retꦿirement had entered his thoughts.
"Ther⭕e was so much going through my mind during that period in time. But I think one of the worst things you can do is make decisions based on emotions, because when you are emotional and in the heat of that moment, more often than not✃, you're not going to make the best decisions.
"Emotions were high, it was a really, really difficult period of time, so I ha⭕d to just wait until things calmed down, and that I was clear in my thought and I was able to then make the right decisions."
Hamilto🗹n revealed that time away with his family helped inspire him to return to F1.
"I was around my niece and nephew♍ and was in a beautiful plaꦺce, in Hawaii, with my family, and at a point where I felt really content and felt I just wanted to get up again and keep going,” he explained.
The 38-year-old Briton has remained winless since, with his laꦰst victory coming at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Gr🔥and Prix.
"I think that's a misconception,” Hamilton said of the significance of hi🌼s two-year winless drought. “When I was younger, I had bad years when I was a kid.
"In 2009, the car was h🌜orrendous. We did have a win through the ye♏ar because we had a second upgrade in the season.
"Then 2010-11, also not great years. One on m✤y side from a personal [point of view] the other more often than not the car was not spectacular.
"So, it's maybe the biggest drought in terms of s𒐪uccess,ꦅ but if you take away those wins, it's been similar to those seasons.”
Lewis regularly attends Grands Prix for ltxcn.top around the world. Often reporting on the act✅ion from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
