Five years after the trauma of Abu Dhabi 2021, new revelations shed light on Lewis Hamilton’s reaction behind the scenes.
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The finale of the 2021 season remains etched as one of the most explosive moments in Formula 1. That day, Lewis Hamilton saw an eighth world title slip away in the last lap, after a safety car restart that allowed Max Verstappen to win.
The controversy was immense, with the FIA later acknowledged as not having properly applied its own procedures. A cruel scenario for Hamilton, who was just seconds away from an absolute record.
At the time, James Vowles held a key role at Mercedes. And in hindsight, it is above all for the British driver that he holds a marked thought.
“My greatest feeling goes to Lewis, because he is an incredible person,” he explains. “He fought until the end, and it is for him that I felt the most.”
A difficult defeat… but processed with perspective
Over time, Vowles has taken a step back on this episode, now recorded as a significant milestone in his career.
“It is a part of my story, but if you dwell on it too much, it can harm the future” he confides.
Now at Williams, the Brit refuses to let this event define the rest of his journey: “It is a line in the sand, something that happened five years ago.”
But despite this distance, one thing has not changed: his empathy for Hamilton.
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“I still feel that for him, because that title was right there, in front of him” he insists.
An exemplary leader in adversity
The most striking aspect remains Hamilton’s reaction after the race. Where many would have collapsed, the seven-time champion surprised everyone around him.
“The most important thing is not the result, but how he handled the situation as an athlete” explains Vowles.
Against all odds, Hamilton did not let frustration take over.
“After the race, he was not someone who couldn’t accept what had happened” he emphasizes.
“A true champion,” beyond the result
Even better, Hamilton reportedly played a central role in Mercedes’ moral rebuilding in the following days.
“He became one of the strongest leaders of the team at the moment it was hardest for all of us” states Vowles.
An attitude that left a lasting mark on his former colleague: “That’s what a true champion is, no matter what happens on track.”
A powerful testimony, which further strengthens the legend of a driver whose greatness far exceeds statistics.
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