Coulthard: Hamilton will be ‘bored’ of robbed F1 title talk

Hamilton lost the world title to Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances after FIA race director Michael Masi did not apply the rules correctly during a late Safety Car period at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

The seven-time world champion has remained silent on the matter ever since and is said to be debating whether to return to F1 this season amid an ongoing FIA inquiry into the events of last year’s title-deciding race. 

But former Williams, McLaren and Red Bull driver Coulthard reckons Hamilton will be fed up with continued talk surrounding the fallout of the 2021 season finale. 

Speaking in The Telegraph, Coulthard said: “I think he will be bored with everyone saying to him, ‘You were robbed, Lewis!’ or ‘You’re the people’s champion, Lewis!’. He’ll be avoiding even having those conversations.”

Instead, Coulthard, a 13-time grand prix winner, thinks that the situation will have affected Mercedes boss Toto Wolff more than Hamilton. 

“The big decision was when he committed to that new two-year contract midway through last season, I don’t think Abu Dhabi changes anything,” he explained.

“Of course he would have liked to have won. And I think he was very emotional, as anyone would be under the circumstances. 

“But I think the reality is the shock was probably far less for him than it would have been for Toto, or the rest of the team, or his fans.

“I can’t compare myself to Lewis in terms of success or speed but one thing I think I can relate to is that emotional detachment, once the moment’s gone.

“The euphoria of success wears off quite quickly, and the disappointment of defeat wears off quite quickly as well.”