Time is running out for F1- These two factors will decide Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future
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Lewis Hamilton
With everything said and done, it was Red Bull’s Max Verstappen who walked out of Abu Dhabi as the 2021 World Champion. With incidents taking place one after the other, as per the latest reports from Sky Sports, the Mercedes’ star driver Lewis Hamilton’s future is resting on two assurances.
The seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton missed out on a record eighth title after losing out to the Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. After a spectacular fight between the two contenders over the last season, Max came out on top in a thrilling finale at Abu Dhabi.
Max Verstappen overtook the Mercedes’ driver in the final lap after the safety car was sent to the pits. This incident stirred controversy and brought attention to the decision taken by the race director Michael Masi.
A detailed analysis of the same race is underway, and a decision will be presented on 14th February 2022. Hamilton believes that he was robbed of the title and hasn’t made any public comment since the post-presentation interview of the race. Although his contract with the Brackley-based company is till 2023, rumors of one of the greatest drivers of motorsport retiring early have been in the air.
Mercedes’ soft stance on the Lewis Hamilton situation
Mercedes’ new car is set to be launched on 18th February, four days after the result of the FIA committee.
While the team has ensured that “both” the drivers will be present for media interviews on the launch, they’ve refrained from using the drivers’ names. This could be the first time Hamilton appears before the media after the finale.
Two conditions for the FIA and F1 to fulfill
According to the reports, two things will influence Lewis’ decision on his F1 career.
Firstly, the driver wants to see F1’s reaction to the events that unfolded in Abu Dhabi.
Presumably, Hamilton wants to observe the decision which the governing bodies will take, after the investigation, on the actions of Michael Masi, the race director.
And the other crucial for Hamilton is how F1 will move forward with the management of races.
Reactions of other teams to the retirement rumors
As one would assume, Christian Horner, the team principal of Red Bull Racing, should’ve had been delighted with the rumors. But on the contrary, Horner believes that the Mercedes driver still has a lot to offer.
In a recent statement, Horner said, “I certainly hope that Lewis will be around this year… He’s [Hamilton] still driving at an incredible level, the two drivers [Max and Lewis] last year were in a league of their own.”
Another surprising reaction to the speculations has been of the Williams’ chief, Jost Capito.
“I don’t care about it. I don’t really care whether he drives or not. [It’s] totally irrelevant, really totally irrelevant.”
Jost added, “They always say there are not enough places for young drivers, and then I think if someone has been World Champion seven times… He [Hamilton] has actually done enough and could make room for a youngster, why not?”
The new season is set to begin with pre-season testing in Barcelona and the first race in Bahrain on 20th March 2022.
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Manan Goel
(400 Articles Published)