Lewis Hamilton’s true feelings to messages from Ben Sulayem


Lewis Hamilton’s true feelings to messages from Ben Sulayem

Mohammed Ben Sulayem

The 2021 formula 1 season saw Chaos, drama, controversies and comebacks the formula for a blockbuster movie where the underdog, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, defeated the reigning champion Mercedes’s Lewis Hamilton in the last lap of season finisher in Abu Dhabi.

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The decision by race director Michael Masi to allow only the 5 cars between Lewis Hamilton at p1 and Max Verstappen at p2 which gifted Max to overtake in the last lap a finish at p1 and winning the championship. The discission prompted a backlash from team Mercedes where they appealed against Verstappen victory which FIA stewards rejected. Mercedes later dropped their plans to file further appeals after consulting with Lewis Hamilton.

7 times world champion Lewis Hamilton was stunned by the discission as he lost out on  a chance to become the driver with the greatest number of titles to his name a  record he shares now with great Michael Schumacher. Following this Lewis Hamilton kept of any presence social platforms which prompted speculation on retirement.

The absence of team Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton from F1 gala, which is Mandatory for teams and drivers to attend according to regulations, has also stirred up speculation about penalizing them. Ben Sulayem who replaced Jean Todt FIA  president had attempted to contact the seven-time world champion but haven’t had a response yet.

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Find out what Ben Sulayem said

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

Ben Sulayem said he don’t think Lewis Hamilton is 100% ready to respond right now and Ben Sulayem added that he understands Hamilton’s position. Ben Sulayem explained that implementation of some rules is not against a certain driver or team as media reports suggest. Ben Sulayem said the rules are meant for all the teams with aim of keepin respect and integrity of FIA and added he won’t judge anyone based on the facts he has on the hand now. 

I’ve sent his messages,” Ben Sulayem said.

I don’t think he’s 100 per cent ready to respond right now. We don’t blame him. I understand his position, as a driver, obviously, he is at a different level,” says  Ben Sulayem

But there are also rules. As you read in the press, the new president is going to sanction; of course, they [the media] spice things up a lot with what is important for others,” Ben Sulayem said.

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But for me it’s not particularly related to a certain driver or a certain team. It’s general. There are rules we have to respect, and we have to respect the integrity of the FIA. And I can’t judge anyone until I know the exact facts,” Ben Sulayem explained.

Ben Sulayem added that his main objective after taking over will be going through the Abu Dhabi file.  Ben Sulayem said that  Lewis Hamilton and Team Mercedes may be because of the stress and p[ressure factors . Ben Sulayem expressed his optimism that thinks will workout and teams will focus together for the future.

In fact, my first objective is to go through the whole Abu Dhabi file, I think of course by not being at the gala, it’s something that Lewis and his team knew. But at the end of the day, we’re human too. There was stress and pressure,” Ben Sulayem added.

Personally, I’m convinced that everything will work out, you can’t think about the past. There are many things to think about. We are the ones who embody the future,” Ben Sulayem added.

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