Guenther Steiner: ‘Hamilton would have been an eight-time F1 champion had Whiting not died’:
– Guenther Steiner believes Lewis Hamilton would have been an eight-time Formula 1 World Champion if Charlie Whiting had been the race director at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Whiting, who had served as race director for many years, passed away suddenly just before the 2019 Australian Grand Prix at the age of 66.
– In Steiner’s upcoming book Unfiltered, set for release in early October, the former Haas F1 team boss argues that the FIA has “ceased being culpable for their mistakes and have lost their humility,” a situation he describes as “not a good one.”
– Steiner comments on the controversial conclusion of the 2021 Formula 1 season, where Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton arrived at Abu Dhabi level on points. Michael Masi, Whiting’s successor, decided to allow only the cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves after a late safety car, setting up a one-lap showdown.
– Hamilton, on worn tyres, was overtaken by Verstappen, who was on fresh tyres, allowing the Dutchman to secure his first World Championship. Steiner reflected on the situation:
“Wherever your loyalties lie with that one (and yes, I agree, it was amazing entertainment), from a regulations point of view it was a s**t show of biblical proportions, and regardless of what decision Charlie Whiting might have made in Michael Masi’s position, there would have been far less controversy and embarrassment.”
– Steiner concludes: “Oh, f**k it. We all know what Charlie would have done. Had he been at the helm, Lewis would now be an eight-time world champion.”
