Former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer has highlighted two Lewis Hamilton mistakes which may have ultimately been decisive in his agonising 2021 title defeat to Max Verstappen. The crown was settled in blockbuster fashion at Yas Marina earlier this month, with the Mercedes man’s defeat leaving him to regret missed chances during the course of the season.
Three consecutive victories in Brazil, Qatar and Saudi Arabia saw Hamilton close the gap on Verstappen going into the season finale.
That left the pair level on points after a hard-fought year, and it was not until the final lap in Abu Dhabi that the title would be decided.
The Brit looked to have been cruising towards his eighth championship, until a contentious call by FIA race director Michael Masi effectively wiped out the gap between himself and Verstappen with one lap remaining.
Equipped with fresher, grippier tyres, Verstappen took his opportunity to snatch the crown in thrilling fashion, leaving the Mercedes garage stunned.
While the circumstances surrounding Verstappen’s maiden world title triumph were certainly…
