8-Time WRC Rally Champ Sebastien Ogier Says Lewis Hamilton Was Robbed

Eight-time World Rally Championship king Sebastien Ogier says Lewis Hamilton was robbed of the 2021 Formula 1 crown.

Currently, the motor racing world is in the dark amid speculation Mercedes' Hamilton, 37, could suddenly quit the sport in protest of how the 2021 championship ended in high controversy. Hamilton has not posted to his social media accounts since December 11—the day before the F1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"I think he will come back," Frenchman Ogier, the reigning world rally champion, told European media outlet RMC.

"He is in an ultra-competitive environment with the best team of the moment. It must have been a very difficult situation for him," Ogier said, referring to the waning moments of the F1 Abu Dhabi finale.

"He really felt like he was robbed. And he was robbed, let's not be afraid to say that," Ogier added, explaining that Hamilton did everything he possibly could have done to beat Max Verstappen to the checkered flag. "Although I have a lot of respect for Max and he had a great season, on that last weekend Lewis dominated the race and was in front all the way until the very end.

"Unfortunately for him, there was the famous safety car only a few laps from the finish. So whether it was one or the other, they are both great champions, but looking just at that weekend, it was theft.

"And that's very hard to swallow for Hamilton," Ogier, 38, said.