What next for the three pointed LOSERS?

[Nitrodaze]

With the decision not to appeal, we wonder what is next for the losers of the 2021 driver's title? It would be a bitter pill to take for a seven-time world champion, would be willing to enter the 2022 season as a loser of the 2021 championship. It would not matter the circumstances in which he lost it at lights out of the first race of 2022.

Can he race in this series with confidence, deep down thinking that it may turn against him again in the future? Can he trust his team? After all, listening to their instructions not to pit was a fundamental reason for being vulnerable when things turned against him. When you take these things into consideration, it looks like it is very possible that hamilton's love for the sport has taken a serious bashing. He would need to be prepared to be a repeat loser to want to continue. As his ability is not what matters anymore but who to trust. He is without doubt the greatest racer on the current grid, it is a testament that they had to cheat to dethrone him.

It is a shame, but it is very possible that the 2021 season may be the last time that we see this incredible talent turn an F1 car in anger. And when we talk of this truly great talent we would retort the shame of the FIA, F1 management and Mercedes in their part in seeing to it that they bring his career to an early end.

On a serious note, if Hamilton departs, who would take his seat?

My money is on Ocon partnering Russell, with possibly Nick De fries replacing Ocon at Alpine. But l think Alpine may probably prefer to go with their own Oscar Piastri. But what if Alpine refuse to release Ocon? Mercedes may make a move for Verstappen or Gasly? Gasly would be easier to pry away from Redbull than Verstappen that has found a new love for Redbull. Let's not forget Norris who has really impressed this season. Like Ferrari, they would have two young fiesty driver lineups for the 2022 season.

[gm99]

Did I stumble into the "Coronation Street" subforum by any chance? So much pathos...

I don't think Lewis came out of this as a loser. On the contrary, his gracious reaction and sincere congratulations to Max have earned him some well-deserved sympathies.
As a professional racing driver, he has dealt with defeats before and he knows how to handle them (something I'm not so sure about regarding some of his supporters).
I'm pretty sure he won't be doing a Rosberg and will be back for another attempt at his eighth title.

[N. Jones]

I think Lewis wants that eighth title before he retires. He will come out stronger next season.

[F1nKS]

I think Lewis wants that eighth title before he retires. He will come out stronger next season.

I agree. I expect that Mercedes will be back to having an overly dominant car (with the low rake design) and then adding in Russell. They will be running circles around the field.

[ouvreur]

Can he trust his team? After all, listening to their instructions not to pit was a fundamental reason for being vulnerable when things turned against him.

The call they made, in the circumstances, was 100% correct. If things had gone as - according to the regulations - they should have, he would have won. It is not Mercedes' fault that something bizarre happened.

[Nitrodaze]

The call they made, in the circumstances, was 100% correct. If things had gone as - according to the regulations - they should have, he would have won. It is not Mercedes' fault that something bizarre happened.

OOh i strongly disagree. Things happen because you let it. If the tables were turned and Redbull was in Mercede's position, l am sure we would not hear the end of this until it has gone through all possible avenues to correct the injustice. This happened to Mercedes because all involved believed they can get away with it. They would have a totally different mindset if it were Redbull. The steely rugged persona of the Redbull establishment is not one that Masi would have messed with. The easily risk-averse and confrontation avoiding Mercedes on the other hand is one this sort of thing can happen to without consequences.
It is not about fault, it is about which of the two teams are ideal victims.

[Mia 01]

Russel will not give in to team orders, he is the future for Mercedes. Norris will come on strong I think (and hope). Lewis will try take the throne ones moore, but if he aint near it by the end of the season he will call it a day.

[denkimi]

I'm glad lewis is not as sour a loser as his fanboys here.

It's over, so you better try to get over it too.

[Nitrodaze]

I'm glad lewis is not as sour a loser as his fanboys here.

It's over, so you better try to get over it too.

Well, it is not over. It is with us for every season into the future. This would happen again, l assure you. The precedent for it to happen has just been laid down by Masi. It is now within the power of the Race Director to determine who wins and loses.

As far as Hamilton goes. I personally do not think he lost. In my eyes, he is not a loser. However, l think the Petronas-Mercedes team lost the driver's title of 2021 because they set up the scenario for this to happen by failing to change tyres at two opportunities to do so. A decision that left Hamilton vulnerable when the decision of Race Control altered the format of the racing.

While the aim is not to remove the championship title from Verstappen, he has deserved it. Petronas-Mercedes owe it to their champion, who has mostly secured them their 2021 constructor's title, to put up a robust challenge of the situation. Consequently, the loss of the driver title fails squarely on Mercedes. They are the losers here.

Besides, if you look at my posts going back seven years, you would find that l am an avid advocate for fairness in all manner of life and racing. If this was happening to Verstappen, l would be just as robust in my views. I wish l could say that for some.

[ouvreur]

However, l think the Petronas-Mercedes team lost the driver's title of 2021 because they set up the scenario for this to happen by failing to change tyres at two opportunities to do so. A decision that left Hamilton vulnerable when the decision of Race Control altered the format of the racing.

I'm sorry, I realise you're quite badly hurt by this, and nothing I say is going to change your mind, but that's not a healthy way to look at it.

If they had brought Hamilton in for tyres, the work of a Red Bull-favouring race director would have been simple - just leave the SC out 'til the chequered flag.

Based on their (correct) interpretation of the rules, on precedent, and on simple common sense, Mercedes made the right call in leaving Hamilton out.

You can query their decision not to appeal (although I would bet that they're getting something in return for not pushing ahead), but their race strategy on this occasion was pretty much faultless.