Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton leaves young fan, driver heartbroken

Lewis Hamilton’s absence from the FIA prize giving gala left young karter Zack Zhu heartbroken, as he was to have awarded the Formula 1 driver his trophy.

Lewis Hamilton’s decision to skip the FIA prize giving gala in Paris, France after a controversial set of circumstances left him watching rival Max Verstappen celebrate his first career Formula 1 world championship was one that was predictably both criticized and supported by many.

On the surface level, Hamilton’s absence was a clear breach of Article 6.6 of Formula 1’s Sporting Regulations, as he finished the season in second place in the driver standings.

"“The drivers finishing first, second and third in the Championship must be present at the annual FIA Prize Giving ceremony.”"

New FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem has all but confirmed that Hamilton will be penalized for the breach in some way, though we don’t know how harsh, exactly, this penalty is going to be.

However, Hamilton’s decision is one that goes far deeper than himself, along with Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, simply boycotting the event.

It is one that left a young karter — and a massive Hamilton fan — saddened and heartbroken.

While Hamilton didn’t win the 2021 Formula 1 world championship, he was named the FIA Personality of the Year for 2021 season. Set to present him with his trophy was Zack Zhu.

But Hamilton wasn’t there to receive it.

Afterward, Zhu, who wears a Hamilton-inspired helmet, held up the trophy which Hamilton was supposed to have received for being named the FIA Personality of the Year, and he shared the following message.

"“I was so expected to carry your trophy to you Lewis Hamilton, to show you my helmet with the first star, but you were not there … You are the greatest driver in my heart #FIAPrizeGiving”"

Predictably, fans took sides once more, with one side degrading Hamilton for being a “poor sport” and a “sore loser”, and in this particular case, an extremely poor example of a role model for the next generation.

The other side simply supported both Hamilton and Zhu, respecting Hamilton’s decision as well as the fact that Zhu is sticking with his driver, despite the criticism Hamilton is getting for making that decision and despite the disappointment caused by it.

They also pointed out the fact that Hamilton did take the loss exceptionally well right after it happened, congratulating Verstappen on the podium. He is even said to have played a role in the team not appealing the result, despite lodging their intent to do so after both of their initial protests were dismissed by the FIA.

Regardless of your opinion on Hamilton’s snub of the gala, one would hope and believe that Mercedes and Hamilton will eventually make it up to this young man, given the fact that he did absolutely nothing wrong yet ended up missing out on a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet his hero due to something completely out of his control.