Mark Webber believes Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton need time off after controversial end to 2021 F1 championship

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3 years ago

ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - DECEMBER 12: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team Mercedes W12 leads Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (33) Red Bull Racing RB16B Honda during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)

Former Red Bull driver Mark Webber believes Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen need time off after controversial 2021 season ending

Former F1 driver Mark Webber has suggested that Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen should be given a longer break ahead of the 2022 F1 season.

Max Verstappen becomes the first Dutchman ever to win the Formula One world championship title when he won a dramatic season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

The statement comes in the aftermath of Hamilton narrowly missing out on his 8th World Championship in Abu Dhabi to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Webber believes that the finale was full of emotions which would be in their minds even now. Talking to World Wide Sports, he said:

“It was a really tough finish for him mentally at the end of last year,” said the former F1 driver.

“He led 99 per cent of that race. To lose it the way he did, it doesn’t matter who you are, it’s a big pill to swallow.

“He felt he was robbed on the last lap because he couldn’t fight. Had nothing to fight with, and it wasn’t through his own doing. He was fighting against something that was an outside force.

“When it’s Max Verstappen on fresh tyres, it’s a real challenge.”

Webber felt that the decision made by Masi in the last lap of the race was a wrong one. Masi allowed flagged cars to be let go, which helped Verstappen to near his rival and overtake him at the final lap.

Will Lewis Hamilton return strong?

Lewis Hamilton had been off social media since December, until recently. He announced his return on Instagram, via a short-worded caption. His return is likely after Mercedes posted a photo of him welcoming him back.

Hamilton is still thinking of retirement before the FIA announced an enquiry to better racing standards in the future. The findings will be available within the next month to the commission.

George Russell is the new partner for Hamilton in an All-English pairing. The former Williams driver is set to be at the centre of action from the first race in Bahrain itself.