Eddie Jordan believes Lewis Hamilton needs to "harden himself up", the former F1 team owner suggesting the Mercedes star has become "too nice" and has let his archrival Max Verstappen "steal" the title from him.
Verstappen was crowned as F1's 2021 world champion last Sunday evening in Abu Dhabi following a dramatic and gripping finale that capped a season of flash points and controversies between the Dutchman and Hamilton, and their respective teams, Red Bull and Mercedes.
Looking back on this year's fantastic campaign, Jordan resorted to the age old motorsport cliché to describe Hamilton defeat, saying that "nice guys don't win titles".
"You can't deny Verstappen the right to the championship," explained Jordan, quoted by BBC.com.
"However, on the other side, I think Hamilton has opened the door. He's allowed someone as aggressive and arrogant as Verstappen to upset him and steal his title from him.
"I think Lewis has been too nice for too long and I think he needs to harden himself up again.
"For me, it's his body language. Listen to the way he spoke afterwards; he was so sporting. All of Britain can be so proud of what he's doing but nice guys don't win titles and he's become a nice guy.
"He's the best driver I've ever seen, and I've seen some really top drivers in my time, so for me to say that I'm really putting him on a pedestal."
Channel 4's David Coulthard believes Hamilton's motivation remains intact despite this year's defeat, and that his commitment will put him once again at the top of the hep in 2022.
"Hamilton's commitment is unquestionable," the former Grand Prix driver told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"He showed why he was a seven-time world champion. He is a phenomenon and he's an incredible sportsperson."
"He's already committed to another two years. He's a team person, he's committed to that team and he'll be there next year trying to win his eighth world title.
"I think he's got inner peace," added Coulthard
"He'll clearly be disappointed, to say the least, but you've got to try and imagine putting yourself in his shoes; he is a great racing driver, he's won multiple championships and he's overcome adversity in his racing career.
"This is just another one of those moments that will not dilute the many great moments in his career.
"He is a fantastic example to sportsmen and women out there on how to handle defeat.
"He recognised the challenge of Verstappen and these are the moments that he lives for. Yes, he would have wanted to win but he showed his brilliance once again."
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