via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Second placed and championship runner up Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks dejected in parc ferme 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)
via Getty
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – DECEMBER 12: Second placed and championship runner up Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP looks dejected in parc ferme 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)
Lewis Hamilton is having a tough season, as the Briton is struggling with the 2022 Mercedes car. His performance in the Imola sprint race was a disappointment, as he lost 1 place and finished P14. Amidst the drama of the 2022 Imola GP, the infamous 2021 Abu Dhabi season-finale has again resurfaced on the internet.
The seven-time world champion came this season hoping to win his record-breaking eighth championship. But looking at his performance so far in the season, Hamilton is far away from the title at the moment. Meanwhile, the new teammate George Russell is outperforming the 37-year-old Briton.
via Reuters
Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Red Bull’s Max Verstappen celebrates winning the race and the world championship with the Netherlands flag on the podium as Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton looks dejected after finishing second REUTERS/Rula Rouhana
Hamilton’s poor form, and the fact that even Russell is outperforming him, has started a debate among fans. They believe the German constructor is not providing what Hamilton is asking them. This debate brought back another major past event. Many fans are pointing out that Hamilton did so much for the F1 team, but they don’t have the same emotions for Hamilton.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Fan reactions on Mercedes partying after Lewis Hamilton’s Abu Dhabi loss
Amidst the tension of the Emilia Romagna GP, Twitter is on fire with the debate between fans on whether it was right for the Silver Arrows to celebrate their constructors’ title while their ace driver lost his driver’s title to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi last season.
i don’t think mercedes should’ve partied the night of AD (especially not Toto). i don’t agree with the “but they worked so hard for the wcc” argument, bc that ignores the context that their driver got robbed in the most heartbreaking way. lewis was hurting so bad that day.
— a🦋 (@jcolesbbygirl) April 23, 2022
you're right, it was disrespectful towards Lewis. first of all Mercedes could win that constructors because Lewis DRAGGED w12 to victory. without him, winning the wcc was IMPOSSIBLE. and what did he get in return? NOTHING.
— Pri (@Priiiiiii____) April 23, 2022
Lewis has always shown that he got Mercedes' back no matter what, that he will always stay with them through ups and downs. It was the team who didn't show that same support for Lewis after they went partying and got drunk like there's no tomorrow after AD when he got robbed.
— Andie🐱 | MOTOGP AND F1 RACE WEEK | Lana's Wife 💍 (@serveandrive) April 23, 2022
Tbh merc love to say that Lewis is family. If someone’s really family to you, would you go drinking and partying after your family member just got robbed terribly and is hurting? https://t.co/E8KNDJICZa
— häkkinen to hell (@lewisgfreal) April 23, 2022
No, they say their team is family and this Team still won the most important title, the constructors title.
It wouldn‘t be fair not to celebrate with his team after this incredible achievement.
— T.M. (@deppen_detektor) April 24, 2022
So all the mechanics that worked endlessly shouldn't celebrate their hardworkand their well earned victory?
— Spyrouz (@SpyrouF1) April 23, 2022
You do know the constructors championship is where the money resides. Everyone worked hard for that and the while team are allowed to celebrate their win. Your statement makes no sense.
— thiscatrocks (@thiscatrocks1) April 24, 2022
Mercedes isn’t all about Lewis. It’s also a team effort and the team won the constructors title.. what’s the use of starting this topic after 4 months 🤷♀️
— Helene (@HeleneF1fan) April 23, 2022
I thought it was in extremely bad taste. There were numerous other opportunities to party but not the day Lewis Hamilton and the entire Mercedes fanbase was hurting.
— Kizangila (@Esq_Kizangila) April 24, 2022
Lewis Hamilton gave up on the championship
The seven-time world champion no longer sees himself or his team as capable of fighting for the championship. Mercedes is struggling since the season started and there has been no improvement despite some glimpse of hope back in Melbourne. But all those hopes diminished with the Imola sprint race.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Hamilton qualified P13 for the Imola sprint but it got worse as he dropped a place after the sprint race. Meanwhile, teammate George Russell qualified for P11 and finished the sprint race at P11.
After the sprint race, Hamilton said, “We’re faced with this issue, there’s nothing I can do. All I’ve been doing is trying to do the best job I can: some weekends it goes well, some weekends it doesn’t. We’re obviously not fighting for the championship, we’re fighting to get into the top 10 at the moment.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
WATCH THIS STORY: Lewis Hamilton’s Biggest F1 Crashes
The Silver Arrow drivers will return to the Imola circuit on Sunday for the main race. It would be interesting to see if the Brits move up in the positions. Do you expect to see Mercedes finishing in the Top 10 in Imola GP?
