Lewis Hamilton has received support from Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham, who has admitted that he feels like the Mercedes driver deserved the 2021 Drivers’ Championship.
Hamilton infamously lost the 2021 title to Max Verstappen, following multiple decisions by ex-race director Michael Masi which went against the rulebook.
The seven-time World Champion started the race in second alongside Verstappen on pole, but it was Hamilton who led out of the opening corner.
Hamilton and Verstappen endured a terrific opening lap battle, which saw the 103-time race winner go off the circuit at Turn 6.
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He maintained the lead and went onto build a reasonable gap, before he lost several seconds after pitting due to Sergio Perez having been kept out on the circuit to hold Hamilton up.
The Mexican did a terrific job, yet Hamilton eventually found his way past.
As the race approached its close, it was looking all but certain that Hamilton was going to become an unprecedented eight-time World Champion, eclipsing Michael Schumacher’s seven titles.
However, the story was not yet written, as a Safety Car was required with just a handful of laps remaining, after Nicholas Latifi crashed in the final sector.
As soon as the Safety Car was summoned, Verstappen dived into the pits for a set of Soft tyres, whilst Hamilton continued on his way but on a very old set of Hards.
Given the amount of debris on the circuit though, it was looking like the race and the season would end behind the Safety Car, at least that’s what should’ve happened according to the rulebook.
On the penultimate lap of the race, Masi initially stated that no lapped cars would be allowed to un-lap themselves, something which infuriated Red Bull.
However, seconds later, Masi decided to just let the lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to un-lap themselves.
As per the rulebook, either all the cars are allowed to un-lap themselves or none at all.
As well as that, an additional lap is supposed to be completed behind the Safety Car.
This would’ve been the final lap of the race; however, Masi decided to complete the final lap under green flag conditions.
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Mercedes complained that the call wasn’t right, yet this didn’t stop Verstappen from overtaking Hamilton on the last lap, to claim the title.
Whilst recalling the event, Bellingham admits that he “didn’t believe” what was going on, with him being adamant that Hamilton deserved the crown.
“I honestly sat there looking lost, I didn’t believe what I was seeing. I think the championship should have been awarded to Sir Lewis Hamilton,” Bellingham said.