Lewis Hamilton's interview immediately after losing the 2021 Formula One World Championship to Max Verstappen in a dramatic finale has gone viral.
Hamilton and Verstappen were tied on 369.5 points each coming into the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi.
The 36-year-old knew that victory would've given him a record eighth championship, moving him ahead of Michael Schumacher.
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But it was Verstappen who emerged with his first title after a last lap that'll go down in the history books.
Hamilton embraced with his rival before speaking to Sky Sports and staying mature about a situation that had the entire racing world in a fury.
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It all came down to a crash from Nicholas Latifi which saw a safety car introduced late on.
Hamilton had been on the same tyres since lap 14 and Verstappen had fresh tyres introduced late on in the race.
Lapped cars were then allowed to overtake the safety car and it gave 24-year-old Verstappen a chance, which he capitalised on.
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"Firstly, big congratulations to Max and to his team," Hamilton said to start things off.
"But I'm so proud of my own team and we gave it absolutely everything and we never gave up. I've felt great in the car the past couple of months, particularly at the end. We'll see what happens next year."
An emotional Verstappen embraced with his father before taking part in his own media duties.
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"It's unbelievable," said Verstappen, who is the sport's fourth-youngest world champion at just 24.
"Throughout the whole race I kept fighting and to have an opportunity on the last lap, it's incredible. I'm having cramp. It's insane."
Featured Image Credit: Sky Sports F1Topics:ย Formula One, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen
