Lewis Hamilton has revealed for the first time since last year's controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix he felt "cheated" out of winning an historic eighth Formula 1 world title.
In an interview for the September issue of Vanity Fair, Hamilton described his emotions after losing the championship to Max Verstappen and even considered walking away from the sport. The Brit had looked assured of victory in Abu Dhabi, having led the race until a safety car was brought out with six laps to go.
But it was then that race director Michael Masi took the unprecedented step of improvising safety car rules to allow for a one-lap shootout between the two rivals to decide the outcome of the world championship. Verstappen, on a new set of soft tyres, passed Hamilton to take the race victory and the title.
