Christian Horner claims he shook hands with Lewis Hamilton after the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

The 2021 Abu Dhabi GP remains one of the most controversial races in F1 history.

Christian Horner claims he shook hands with Lewis Hamilton after the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi GP

Christian Horner and Lewis Hamilton (Via IMAGO)

Formula 1 had a historic title decider in 2021 at the Abu Dhabi GP. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen headed into the race on equal points. Moreover, the two drivers went all-out on the last lap for the world title after a controversial decision by race control. Verstappen emerged victorious and was crowned the new F1 world champion. Now, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner has praised Hamilton’s composure after the eventful race.

Horner reckoned that Lewis Hamilton managed to handle the disappointment rather well. The Red Bull team boss was impressed by the seven-time world champion’s behavior after the race. The 50-year-old highlighted that Hamilton would’ve been devastated as he lost out on a record-breaking eighth F1 championship.

I felt the way that Lewis handled that disappointment after the race, hats off to him... Record-breaking World Championship has just disappeared but he handled himself with dignity and respect.
Christian Horner told Sky Sports
YouTube video

Christian Horner revealed that he greeted Hamilton in the drivers’ room after the Grand Prix. The 50-year-old shook hands with the Mercedes driver. Moreover, Lewis Hamilton congratulated Horner for Max Verstappen’s maiden F1 championship.

FS Video
I shook his hand in the driver’s room after the race and he had the good grace to say well done.

Christian Horner believes Mercedes’ conservative approach led to Lewis Hamilton’s defeat in Abu Dhabi

The last lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP is often cited as the cause of Hamilton’s title loss. Then-Race Director Michael Masi took a controversial call to let only those lapped cars to unlap themselves which were between Hamilton and Verstappen. This allowed for the Red Bul driver to pass the Briton on the final lap with fresher tires.

Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP podium
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen on the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP podium (via IMAGO)

Christian Horner believes that Mercedes had the upper hand on Red Bull during the race. However, the Silver Arrows had a conservative race strategy as Lewis Hamilton stayed out on worn tires. This exposed the seven-time world champion on the final restart.

They [Mercedes] went very conservative.
 They left Lewis out on a set of tyres that were 43 laps old so he was only ever a Safety Car [from being] hugely exposed.

Lewis Hamilton fell behind Max Verstappen and Red Bull since the 2021 season finale. Mercedes failed to give him a car capable of fighting for the world championship in the past two seasons. However, fans would be hoping to see Hamilton finally take a victory at the pinnacle of motorsport since the 2021 Saudi Arabian GP.

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