Dec.22 - F1's CEO is "sure" Lewis Hamilton will return to his Mercedes cockpit in 2022.

The seven time world champion has been essentially silent since Abu Dhabi, but his boss Toto Wolff has hinted that Hamilton's disillusionment with the outcome of the 2021 championship has him contemplating retirement.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, however, doesn't think so.

"I'm sure he will recharge his batteries and come back with even more desire than before to win the eighth world title," the Italian told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Hamilton's 2021 nemesis, new world champion Max Verstappen, agrees with Domenicali, although he was unimpressed with the Mercedes driver's first act of the winter - being knighted by Prince Charles.

"I can't become 'sir' in the Netherlands, but I don't need that either," the Dutchman told Servus TV. "I'm a racing driver and the title of world champion is enough."

Verstappen admits he and Hamilton spent some of their 2021 battle being "angry" at one another, but he insists: "The respect is still there."

As for the retirement rumours, the 24-year-old said of Hamilton: "Normally, Lewis has to come back.

"Those words came to my mind after the race, but I think for him it was a normal emotional reaction. So I count on him coming back."


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21 F1 Fan comments on “F1 CEO sure Hamilton returns on grid next season

  1. shroppyfly

    The only reason I can imagine for the lack of respect that both Hamilton and Toto are showing the media, is that they are trying to unravel Hamilton's contract and orchestrate the press conference and statement+ finding a replacement driver.

    That's my take it the situation .the British press are naturally now beginning to publish the rumours of his retirement .

    Of course he could be still licking his wounds, but Sir Lewis really?

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      Shrop', the big news would be the return of BOT to MB. You and the BOTbashers, the HAMhaters and the Sympathizers (all good band names) would light up the monitors. Unlikely, but that would be fun.

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      • shroppyfly

        Ah never say never , i remember months ago i said my mate Nico, left only 6 mths after signing a 2yr extension , mmm very similar to Louise i think

        Only difference was he left as WDC ,sorry couldnt help myself there hamgirls.

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  2. Jere Jyrälä

    Of course, he’ll continue as per his two-year commitment announced in Austria.
    The likelihood of him quitting over Masi’s manipulation is extremely low anyway.

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  3. shroppyfly

    Those RB mechanics love a laugh, they've been compiling a CD of songs for Lewis to listen to this christmas, and maybe do a cover version of them in the new year.

    Sofar this is it

    1 The winner takes it all-ABBA
    2 Should I stay or should I go- The Clash
    3 Stop crying your heart out-Oasis
    4 Heh Mickey your so fine-Toni Basil
    5 I did it my way-Frank Sinatra
    6 Dry your eyes mate-The Street
    7 Every loser wins-Nick Berry
    8 The final countdown- Europe

    My sources tell me, there's still room for amendments should anyone have ideas?

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  4. shroppyfly

    So thats the list

    1 The winner takes it all-ABBA
    2 Should I stay or should I go- The Clash
    3 Stop crying your heart out-Oasis
    4 Heh Mickey your so fine-Toni Basil
    5 I did it my way-Frank Sinatra
    6 Dry your eyes mate-The Street
    7 Every loser wins-Nick Berry
    8 The final countdown- Europe
    9 Your so vain- Carly Simon
    10 Idiot wind- Bob Dylan

    I think Lewis could do a few cover versions with these options lol

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    • CanadianEh

      Fly, I like your thinking.

      My son and his wife loathe Nicolas Cage - so he buys her a "Nicolas Cage" compendium of all his movies for Christmas. Her primal screams were ... 'disturbing'.

      So, I'm gonna buy my wife the album of Sir Spamalot singing all these covers! Hell YES! She will loose her s__t.

      LOL

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      • CanadianEh

        It occurred to me that sporting and entertainment luminaries have perished under the pressure to perform.

        What would people say if Sir Spamalot throws away his F1 driving career to pursue a new career in singing.

        OMG - It would be sooo tragic to watch over time as he gains more and more weight, his costumes become more and more garish until finally, he's unrecognizable - like Bubbles Devere, or the Green Goddess.

        Please, Sir Devere - don't do it. Just tell us you're gonna race the car again....

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  5. shroppyfly

    So very interesting, the Daily Express ( a long established tabloid in the UK)
    Did a pole whether Hamilton should retire or not ,from 24th Dec to 31stDec and out of one can only presume 99.9% UK F1 fans/voters , it went 56% said he should carry on with 44% saying he should retire ,with 5500 taking part .

    Is that an overwhelming vote of confidence, or a sign his popularity is waning .?

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    • ReallyOldRacer

      Nice thing about polls is that you can spin the numbers to fit your POV. Missing here is the "I don't give a damn" response. From which column would that opinion steal numbers?

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  6. shroppyfly

    Well ordinarily id agree, but when its a yes/no question , of course your right we don't know how many people shall we say spoiled there ballet papers--ie dont give a sh8t? that would have to have been an option-to say we don't care either way,and we don't know whether or not there was, but if 5500 entered the poll and left a yes/no answer, its no bad gauge id say

    Its like the Brexit vote IN or OUT , no third option maybe

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