Still of the belief that he was "robbed", Lewis Hamilton admits that the events of Abu Dhabi 2021 remain a defining moment in his life.

At a time Felipe Massa is seeking to get the 2008 title overturned, most people ponder whether a closer look at the events of 12 December 2021 might be more appropriate.

While Lewis Hamilton admits that what happened that night has turned out to be defining moment in his life, many others feels the same.

Even those that openly admit that they do not support the Mercedes star admit that the events of that night tainted the sport for them and Pitpass is only too aware of fans who have stopped watching and even attending races since.

Whatever the rights and wrongs, and taking absolutely nothing away from Max Verstappen, what transpired that night was a sporting travesty, and while (race director) Michael Masi will always shoulder the burden of responsibility in the eye of the public, we remain convinced that he was acting on instructions from higher up the food-chain.

Speaking to GQ Magazine, just over three years later, Hamilton reveals the effect what happened that night has had on him.

"Was I robbed? Obviously," he says. "I mean, you know the story. But I think what was really beautiful in that moment, which I take away from it, was my dad was with me. And we'd gone through this huge roller coaster of life together, ups and downs. And the day that it hurt the most, he was there, and the way he raised me was to always stand up, keep your head high.

"I obviously went to congratulate Max," he adds, "and not realizing the impact that that would have, but also I was really conscious of, like, there's a mini-me watching. This is the defining moment of my life. And I think it really was. I felt it.

"I didn't know how it was going to be perceived. I hadn't, like, visualized it. But I was definitely conscious of, these next 50 meters that I walk is where I fall to the ground and die... or I rise up."

They say that time heals, but as the seven-time world champion admits: "If I see a clip of it, I still feel it... but I'm at peace with it."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 05/04/2024 0:25

"@Ricardo-sanchez....FYI this is an F1 site and Burton's reference to a soccer game some 38 years ago is mainly lost on me. Obviously a hanging offence!!!"

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2. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 04/04/2024 12:09

"@kenji - it would be ironic if Burton’s response to you was “read again and inwardly digest”.

There is nothing in the article above defamatory statements. Nor does your original comment specify what you consider to be defamatory nor who is the alleged defamer. I read and inwardly digested your comment, as I always do. You mentioned Wolff but also suggested “they” should be taken to court. "

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3. Posted by kenji, 04/04/2024 1:01

"@ Burton....my ignorance, but who are the chaps you are referring to and what is the relevance...or lack of?"

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4. Posted by kenji, 04/04/2024 0:59

"@Tardis 40....very well may you ask? It's high time that the FIA took a stance and moved against those of Mercedes management who are casting damaging insults against an [ former ? ] FIA employee. Is one to assume that Radcliffe and Kallenious also endorse these opinions? Destroying reputations should be tested in the appropriate location rather than the media."

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5. Posted by kenji, 04/04/2024 0:46

"@Ricardo-sanchez....read again and inwardly digest."

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6. Posted by Ricardo_sanchez, 03/04/2024 20:43

"@kenji - who at Mercedes has defamed Masi? "

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7. Posted by Burton, 03/04/2024 19:15

"Next Kenji will say the Hand of God is all England's fault for playing Shilton instead of Woods."

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8. Posted by Tardis40, 03/04/2024 17:07

"If Hamilton was robbed then so was Massa.

Why isn't Lewis offering to correct that mistake?"

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9. Posted by Chester, 03/04/2024 13:07

"We don't hear about the missed New Orleans Saints interference call year after year. Why do we rue the Abu Dhabi call?

The 73,028 fans in attendance all thought it was pass interference. Saints coach Sean Payton thought it was pass interference. Drew Brees though it was pass interference. Heck, even Robey-Colman thought it was pass interference and the flag would have gone against him.

Unfortunately for the Saints, the only people alive who didn't think the play warranted a pass interference penalty were the seven people who mattered: The seven officials on the field.

Before Sunday, I would've said that causing the cancelation of Mardi Gras would be about the only plausible way you could get everyone in New Orleans to hate you, but these officials did it with one blown call.

The no-call was so bad that the league office literally called Payton after the game to apologize about it.

"Just getting off the phone with the league office. They blew the call," Payton said following the loss. "Man, there were a lot of opportunities though, but that call puts it first-and-10 and we'd only need three plays. It's a game-changing call. That's where it's at, so it's disappointing. For a call like that not to be made, it's just hard to swallow.""

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10. Posted by kenji, 03/04/2024 12:33

"I am totally interested in the claim that Masi was doing the bidding of someone higher up the 'food chain'. That's a pretty heavy duty assumption and I would love to see some evidence to support it. My take is quite simple. Mercedes had the golden opportunity to cover off Verstappen by pitting for fresh tyres but they passed on it to maintain track position. Subsequently they lost the race because Verstappen had the fastest car when it mattered and Wolff has suffered ever increasing fits of the zoomies since they messed up and it has now manifested in another nasty and vindictive outburst. They can clear this up by launching a legal challenge, which has always been their right, but they have wimped out so far. IMO Masi should launch a defamation action and see if he can get them into court. The FIA should back him as Wolff's slur embraces the FIA's decision re the race director. Never ending fun and games."

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Abu Dhabi 2021 a defining moment for Hamilton

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