Former Hamilton ally discloses what really happened after Abu Dhabi 2021 loss

Before taking over as Williams team principal, the Brit spent several years as Toto Wolff’s right-hand man at Mercedes in his role as chief strategist, becoming a key figure behind the Silver Arrows’ success from 2014 to 2021.

Speaking on Frankie Langan’s YouTube channel, Vowles admitted he was particularly struck by the composed reaction of the seven-time world champion in the aftermath of the Abu Dhabi race outcome.

Vowles highlighted that the most striking aspect was not the result itself, but the way Hamilton handled it as a sportsman, noting how rare it is to see someone process such a moment with that level of composure rather than struggling to come to terms with it.

Speaking to Sky Sports News, Mansell expressed his hope that Hamilton can finally secure a record-breaking eighth world title with Ferrari. The 1992 world champion pointed out that Norris still has plenty of time to achieve the same feat in the future, while stressing that Hamilton now has a unique opportunity to complete his legacy after everything he has already accomplished in the sport.

Mansell also made it clear he will be backing Hamilton for victory at Silverstone in July, where the Brit will be aiming for a tenth career win at his home Grand Prix. He added that Hamilton appears fully re-energised, highlighting his admiration for the seven-time world champion and the remarkable career he has built.

At the same time, he noted that Ferrari have made strong progress over the winter and are firmly in the mix, although Mercedes still look like the benchmark, with McLaren also expected to be competitive.