Fuming Lewis Hamilton slams F1 for allowing Max Verstappen to finish Italian GP behind safety car after Abu Dhabi chaos

LEWIS HAMILTON fumed that Sunday’s Italian GP “brings memories back” of last year’s controversial title decider in Abu Dhabi.

The Brit was denied a record eighth world title after now-axed race director Michael Masi failed to follow the rules and finish the season behind the safety car.

Sky Sports

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Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the final lap to snatch the title out of his grasp last December.

Fast forward nine months and Verstappen was allowed to finish the Italian GP in Monza behind safety car, in line with regulations.

After the race Hamilton, who made up 14 places to finish fifth after starting at the back of the grid, blasted the decision that cost him last year

Hamilton told Sky Sports on the safety car incident: “It always brings memories back.

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“That is the rule that it should be, right? So only one time, in the history of the sport, that they haven’t done the rule…”

Australian Masi was sacked in February following his controversial handling of the Abu Dhabi GP.

And Hamilton has clearly not forgotten the manner in which he was denied another title.

F1 fans were also left fuming that Verstappen was allowed to finish behind the safety car, while Hamilton was not last year.

Victory for Verstappen saw the Dutch driver extend his lead at the top of the standings to a whopping 116 points.

It was an 11th win of the season for the 2021 champion, and a fifth on the bounce.

The Red Bull ace can even WIN the title if results go his way in Singapore.