Tag: Lewis Hamilton

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton’s future in the sport rests on the outcome of the FIA’s investigation into the events of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 10 which saw Hamilton lose the championship to Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen on the last lap of the race.

Paddock Eye understands that the FIA will conclude their investigation into what happened by early February.

Lewis Hamilton has not been heard from since his post-race interview with 2009 world champion Jenson Button immediately proceeding the race in Abu Dhabi where he simply said that he will see about next year.

It has been widely reported in the UK media that the FIA struck a deal with Mercedes which will see Formula One race director Michael Masi removed from his position and in return, the Brackley-based outfit agreed to withdraw their appeal.

Paddock Eye understands however, that these reports are extremely wide of the mark and while many say that Masi’s position is no longer tenable it is thought that he will remain as race director into the 2022 season.

Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton could take a sabbatical from the sport after losing out to Max Verstappen in the race for last season’s Formula One world championship that is the claim of Sky Sports News F1 reporter Craig Slater.

Hamilton has not been heard from since losing the championship in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 12 December 2021.

Speaking to Sky Sports News on Monday, Craig Slater said that the longer that the FIA takes to come to a conclusion with their investigation into what happened on the final lap of the race in Abu Dhabi the less likely it is that Lewis Hamilton will be on the grid this season.

Slater revealed that he has been told by someone close to Hamilton that the seven-time champion took it very badly after losing the championship despite congratulating Max Verstappen on the podium.

New FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem believes that Hamilton will not quit while he has also confirmed that he will personally investigate what happened in Abu Dhabi last month.

FIA President Mohammed ben Sulayem says that Lewis Hamilton may be punished for his failure to attend Thursday’s FIA prize giving gala in Paris.

The seven-time Formula One world champion and Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff did not attend the ceremony. For Wolff, he revealed that he had more integrity while also showing loyalty to Hamilton.

Sulayem says that he understands that Lewis Hamilton is broken however he has confirmed that one of his first acts as FIA President will be to investigate the matter.

Article 6.6 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations state that the top three drivers in the championship must attend the prize giving ceremony at the end of the season.

If Hamilton is punished for his failure to appear he is likely to receive a financial penalty rather than any sporting penalty.

Regardless of what happened, Sulayem says that rules are rules.

Mercedes AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Principal, CEO and co-owner Toto Wolff says he hopes seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton continues in Formula One next season.

Speaking during a media call on Thursday, Wolff said that he is not certain that Hamilton, who lost out on the championship to Max Verstappen last weekend will continue in F1 next season.

Wollf was speaking as he confirmed that neither he nor Hamilton will travel to Paris for tonight’s FIA prize giving despite the fact that Mercedes were crowned Constructors champions.