RED BULL team boss Christian Horner has admitted Lewis Hamilton and his fans can feel aggrieved over his title loss at Abu Dhabi last year.
The seven-time World Champion missed out on an eighth F1 crown after the extremely controversial ending to the 2021 season.
Hamilton and his title rival Max Verstappen went into the final race of last season level on points.
After leading the entire race, the Mercedes driver was overtaken by his Dutch challenger on the final lap after race director Michael Masi applied the safety car rules incorrectly.
The Australian has since left the FIA, and said he has faced death threats over the ending to the race.
Audio also emerged after where Hamilton revealed he believed the result had been "manipulated".
READ MORE ON F1
Lewis Hamilton reveals why he missed out on part in Top Gun: Maverick
William Hill – football free bets: Claim £30 welcome bonus when you stake £10
Despite the extraordinary ending at the Abu Dhabi GP, Horner insists Verstappen is the rightful champion – but admits he understands the ill-feeling from Mercedes.
He told Sky Sports: "I always tend to look forwards so Abu Dhabi already seems a long time ago. The page always turns.
"I can understand that if you were a Lewis fan or a Mercedes fan, that you'll feel pretty aggrieved by the events of Abu Dhabi.
"If you're a Max fan, you'll feel it was redemption for earlier in the year.
Most read in Motorsport
Ricciardo 'holding out for £17m pay-out' for McLaren contract termination
How Schumacher is feared to NEVER fully recover from ski crash
F1 star Lando Norris takes break with stunning girlfriend Luisinha Oliveira
Lewis Hamilton reveals why he missed out on part in Top Gun: Maverick
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
"That's where sport is always going to be polarising. Last year wasn't just about Abu Dhabi, last year was about 22 races.
"Do I think Max deserved that championship? Absolutely. I'm not ever going to get too hung up on it."
After last year's tense title tussle which saw momentum swing from Verstappen to Hamilton every other race, this season has proven to be more straightforward for the Red Bull driver.
Verstappen is currently running away with the title and opened up an 80-point lead over his closest competitors going into the mid-season break.
Arguably his most accomplished moment so far was starting from 10th on the grid to win the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Read More on The Sun
I was swallowed by a WHALE – I could feel the animal’s muscles squeezing me
You’re using your fan WRONG – dangerous mistakes to be aware of amid heatwave
It's not just the 24-year-old's brilliant driving which has led to his domination over the rest of the grid.
He has been helped by a series of high-profile errors at Ferrari which has left fans scratching their heads.
Source: Read Full Article