“Nobody Wanted to Pay”: Only Lewis Hamilton Can Make Dinner of Millionaires a Classy Act

F1 drivers going out on a dinner. Doesn’t sound like a likely occurrence right? Well, as for the emotional occasion of Sebastian Vettel retiring from F1, the 2022 grid did go out on a dinner in Abu Dhabi.

The photographs of all 20 drivers posing after a farewell dinner for Vettel were all over social media. Discussing the same, Mika Hakkinen spoke about some of the dinner memories from his times on the grid.

On the latest Fast and Loose podcast, hosts Will Arnett and Katie Osborne asked two-time champion Mika Hakkinen about his memories of having dinner with his driver mates back then. On this, the former McLaren man said, “Well, we did not do that, to be honest. I think because [in] my time, there were a couple of Scottish drivers. So nobody wanted to pay the bill.”

Upon this comment by Mika, everyone laughed wholeheartedly. While they further wondered about what the bill might have been, as it was an expensive Chinese restaurant in Abu Dhabi. There are rumors that Lewis Hamilton paid the bill for everyone as it was his buddy Vettel’s farewell dinner.

Further on, the hosts asked Hakkinen whether he would pay the bill for a 20-driver dinner. To this, the Finn chuckled and said, “Did I hear that? If I would pick up the bill, I would choose the restaurant.” While everyone praised Hakkinen’s wit, he concluded by saying, “I would take them to the [F1] paddock club.”

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Keeping the bill aside, it was a wholesome feeling to see all drivers united for Vettel’s farewell. These are the occasions that show us the camaraderie among the drivers.

The Last Supper for Sebastian Vettel sponsored by Lewis Hamilton

Entering his last F1 race weekend, Sebastian Vettel had several activities to attend to in the paddock. From a nostalgic tribute from his father Norbert Vettel to a guard of honor given by the whole grid. It was a busy weekend for the four-time champion.

Though before the weekend began, all 20 drivers gathered to go out for a dinner. This was a farewell to the retiring German as everyone turned up, keeping aside all track activities.

The drivers went to a Chinese restaurant named Hakkasan in Abu Dhabi. It was probably Hamilton who paid the bill. Meanwhile, everyone looked pretty elated and celebrated a momentous career for Vettel.

The photographs of the 2022 grid went viral on social media and fans went into a frenzy. It’s just 20 men having dinner, but fans love to watch their beloved drivers just anytime.

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Since the 2022 season wrapped up, we may see several drivers going on a break and indulging in many off-track activities. So watch out for some golfing action from Sainz and Norris, while Daniel Ricciardo goes surfing in Australia. Which driver are you following during the off-season?