LEWIS HAMILTON has opened up about the moment he was “robbed” of the driver’s title in 2021 in a new interview.
The infamous moment saw him lose the title on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton had a healthy lead but a safety car was called after Nicholas Latifi crashed with five laps to go.
Controversially, race director Michael Masi allowed the likes of Max Verstappen to overtake lapped cars separating him from Hamilton.
With Verstappen on soft tyres, he was able to easily overtake Hamilton on the final lap of the race.
Speaking to GQ, he said that it was the day in his life that “hurt him the most” and that the only consolation was that he had his father there for support.
The Brit ace said: “Was I robbed? Obviously.
“I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me. And we’d gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs.
“And the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, keep your head high.
“And I obviously went to congratulate Max, and not realizing the impact that that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there’s a mini-me watching.
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“This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it.
“I didn’t know how it was going to be perceived. I hadn’t, like, visualised it.
“But I was definitely conscious of: These next 50 meters that I walk is where I fall to the ground and die—or I rise up.”
Hamilton, 39, also opened up about his plans for life after retiring.
The driver will finish his career at Ferrari, after agreeing a shock deal to join them earlier this year.
Asked what he plans to replace racing with in his life Hamilton answered: “Well, I think it’s going to be film and fashion.”
