Hamilton will ‘come back stronger’

Lewis Hamilton says the controversial end to last year’s title fight made him consider his future but he does not want it to define his career.

The Mercedes driver lost out on an eighth world title in controversial circumstances at last year’s final race in Abu Dhabi.

“There was a moment when I lost a little bit of faith in the system,” said Hamilton.

“But I am generally a very determined person.

“And while moments like this might define careers, I refuse to let this define mine.”

Hamilton was leading in Abu Dhabi and on course for a record eighth world title when race director Michael Masi failed to operate the rules correctly during a late safety-car period.

That resulted in Hamilton being passed by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on one final lap of racing after a restart.

The FIA has conducted an inquiry into what happened and on Thursday announced a series of changes to address it – including removing Masi as race director.

Hamilton said he had retreated to the comfort of his family as he sought to process what had happened.

“I never said I was going to stop,” he said. “But it was a difficult time for me and I really needed to step back.

“It was a time where I really needed to step back, focus on being present. I had my family all around me creating great moments.

“Eventually I got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking again coming into another season.”

Hamilton welcomed the FIA’s moves, but added that they had to be converted into concrete actions.

“It’s good to see the FIA are making changes,” he said. “Accountability is key. We have to use this moment to make sure this never happens to anyone ever again.

“We have to make sure we are seeing those changes, and (that) rules are applied fairly, and accurate and consistently.”

He said he did not bear any ill feelings towards Verstappen.

“This has nothing to do with Max,” he said. “Max did everything a driver would do given the opportunity he was given.

“He’s a great competitor and we will go into another battle like we did last year and we will grow from our races and experiences we had last year.

“I don’t hold any grudges with anyone. That is never a good thing to carry around with you. I move forward. I don’t dwell on the past.”

He admitted that it was “still difficult to fully understand everything” that happened in Abu Dhabi, but said he wanted “to come back stronger”. (BBC)