“Only time will tell if time will heal” – Damon Hill still hurt by Abu Dhabi ‘wound’ in the wake of controversial Italian GP ending
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Damon Hill
The ending of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in 2021 was one of the most controversial ones in recent memory. The race director, Michael Masi had opted for a lap of ‘motor racing’ instead of finishing behind the safety car, and so, only the cars between the leaders were cleared, a clear violation of the rules, and something that he lost his job for.
However, the result still stood. The result must have stung for British fans, but especially so for Lewis Hamilton, who was defeated when victory had been in his jaws. There were even retirement rumours, but the seven-time world champion powered through that. To this day, the result and the ending are hotly debated among Formula 1 fans, especially so between Max Verstappen and Hamilton’s own fanbases.
The opposite of Abu Dhabi happened in Monza: The race finished behind the safety car as the lapped cars couldn’t be let go in time, and earlier the safety car had caught the wrong car instead of the leader. Fans were left disappointed by a ‘cold’ ending to the race rather than a grandstand finish, and many felt that perhaps red-flagging the race and a standing restart was the best option, and Damon Hill agrees.
Also Read: “It shouldn’t be all the same,” Damon Hill opines on current F1 circuits
Damon Hill: Abu Dhabi ‘wound’ still festers
On lap 47, Daniel Ricciardo stopped by the side of the track, and as the car was stuck in gear, a crane (by the side of the track) had to be used to retrieve it from the track. As such, many felt the race should have been red-flagged. Instead, the race finished behind the safety car. The Tifosi’s disappointment with this decision was for all to see (or hear) as Charles Leclerc ‘may’ have had a chance to win.
Following the race, Lewis Hamilton commented on the ending: “It always brings memories back. That is the rule that it should be, right? So only one time, in the history of the sport that they haven’t done the rule.” and he wasn’t the only that felt a bit ‘wronged’, keeping in mind the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Damon Hill, quoting an article, said: “Red Flag a race? They’re all up for it. Where there is a will etc. But nothing will change Abu Dhabi. That wound still festers and only time will tell if time will heal.”
There is no debate regarding the legality of the ending of the Italian GP, but it is always disappointing to see races finish behind safety cars, especially when there is ample opportunity for a restart. There are still social media arguments ongoing about what should happen in such a situation, but no consensus can be reached.
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Aniket Tripathi
(1002 Articles Published)