Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton would have won 2021 title but Mercedes ‘missed a trick’ in Abu Dhabi GP, reveals Bernie Ecclestone

, Lewis Hamilton would have won 2021 title but Mercedes ‘missed a trick’ in Abu Dhabi GP, reveals Bernie Ecclestone

FORMER F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone believes Lewis Hamilton would have won an eighth world title if Mercedes had deployed a smarter strategy.

Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen on the final lap of the last race at a dramatic Abu Dhabi GP last season.

Ecclestone reckons a better Mercedes strategy would have seen Hamilton win the title

Instructions could have been sent to Bottas to wind the engine down, which would have resulted in the Safety Car staying on the track

, Lewis Hamilton would have won 2021 title but Mercedes ‘missed a trick’ in Abu Dhabi GP, reveals Bernie Ecclestone
Hamilton was beaten at the death by Dutchman Verstappen in dramatic and controversial circumstances

But Mercedes could have possibly made sure the Safety Car stayed on the track until the end of the race after it was called out with five laps left to go.

That would have meant the leading driver at the time, Hamilton, would have won the race and also the 2021 title.

Ecclestone was asked by Swiss outlet Blick whether Mercedes could have “radioed to [Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri] Bottas to let the car coast because they want to preserve the engine.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Had they done so, in all likelihood the Safety Car would have stayed out and Hamilton would have won the race.

And Ecclestone responded: “Pretty clever. I thought of that too, and it would have been ideal to make sure the Safety Car stayed out and the race wouldn’t have been restarted.

“Many people would have been upset, but there wouldn’t have been any changes to the final result.”

He was then asked if they failure to make the call to Bottas had been costly in handing the championship over to Verstappen.

Ecclestone replied: “Right, and I don’t know if Toto Wolff, with a third of the team shares, is still in the same strong position as before.

“But we will find out at some point.”

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

United's Target Manchester United is reportedly considering a summer transfer for Everton's rising star Jarrad Branthwaite. The 21-year-old defender has been a standout player...

Premier League

Red Devils in the race for Olmo Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to secure the signature of RB Leipzig midfielder Dani Olmo...

Premier League

Lukaku's Transfer U-turn Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku is reportedly considering a dramatic transfer U-turn that could see him leave Chelsea permanently after his loan...

Golf

Glam to Natural Paige Spiranac surprises her fans with a more natural appearance, ditching the glam for a new look that has everyone talking....

Premier League

Xabi Alonso Prefers to Stay at Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool is in search of a new manager following Jurgen Klopp's departure, but reports suggest that...

Premier League

Major Rule Change The Premier League has implemented a significant rule change regarding ball boys and girls after a recent incident involving Coventry manager...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement