Experts agree Hamilton could turn his back on F1
Jan.14 - Lewis Hamilton could be poised to stun the world of Formula 1, motor racing and world sport - by sensationally quitting.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is reportedly and imminently set to meet for crisis talks with newly-installed FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
"No, I don't think he will (retire)," Sulayem, who has replaced Jean Todt, said when asked about the rumours.
However, he admits that Hamilton is not currently responding to messages.
"I sent him messages," the Emirati and former rally driver revealed. "I think he's not ready now to be functioning 100 percent and you don't blame him for that."
Indeed, seven time world champion Hamilton is not only maintaining total radio silence for now, he has even 'unfollowed' the official Formula 1 Instagram account.
His brother Nicholas explained on Twitch that the Mercedes driver is simply taking "a little break" from social media.
"He's ok," Nicholas said. "What's he doing right now? He's watching the kids skiing."
Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone thinks the 37-year-old driver will indeed quit, having phoned Hamilton's father Anthony.
"I felt immediately that he would not answer a question about his son's future," the 91-year-old told the Swiss newspaper Blick. "So we only talked about business.
"I don't know, but I don't think he's coming back. His disappointment is too great. And you can kind of understand that.
"Lewis could only lose in 2022. Who knows how the new cars will reposition the field," said Ecclestone.
"With George Russell he would get an ambitious teammate, although I'm not as convinced by him as many others. And then let's not forget that in Verstappen, Hamilton has finally found an opponent equal to him.
"Now would be the time with his seven world titles like Michael Schumacher to carry out his dream of becoming a fashion entrepreneur," Ecclestone said.
F1 legend Alain Prost also thinks rumours of Hamilton's potential retirement could be real.
"It's hard to be in his shoes," the Frenchman told Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper. "He has reasons to stop and many reasons to continue.
"He's taken a mental hit, but it would be really sad if he's not there this season," Prost added.
Even Hamilton's boss insists that the rumours need to be taken seriously.
"I very much hope that we will see him again. He is the most important part of our sport," said Toto Wolff.
"It would be an indictment for the whole of Formula 1 if the best driver decided to stop because of outrageous decisions."
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Wolff and Hamilton need to move on.
If they can't F1 will be better off without them.
It is still Wolff trying to dictate his way.I hope FIA stands firm against them.
I'm not at all concerned as to whether retires or not but I am looking forward to the new race season, we have an abundance of young drivers who will give their best efforts to wheel to wheel racing and without Hamilton blocking their way would be very refreshing.
The sooner he is gone, the better for the sport. How dare he think he is more important than the sport? His arrogance is beyond comprehension.
He does not think that he is more important than the sport thats other ignorant peoples opinion.What is important are the rules which cannot be tweeked at the drop of a hat to make for a more dramatic finnish.
Are you offering up your( Opinion.. ) here then
Time to grow up for both of them. We all have disappointments and set backs in life.
Either, pick yourselves up, dust yourselves down and get on with it. Or go.
The stats really do prove that the right guy won the championship.
Time to stop being a drama queen, Lewis.
C'mon, enough of this will he or won't he bullshit. Whether or not Lewis Hamilton quits will not materially affect F1. There are several young drivers poised to assume the limelight. By June he would simply be a past champion. The only real challenge is for MB to maintain their prominence.
No ifs or will hes from me Ror, i called it all thru the season he'd retire and again Straight after his post race comment.., that the party is over,F1 In terms of young drivers hasn't been this well off for yrs, All hes doing is making his pain last longer in a no win situation, F1 needs Hamilton? get real..., your most telling comment though Ror is by June..., id say earlier than that, cant wait to see all the young talent going for it in the new cars, liveries and teams., a breath of fresh air with no bullshit being spewed from the mouth of a crybaby--Heaven....!!
Wouldn't it be great to see Fernando Alonso in Hamiltons mercedes he's still so young at heart, he deserves a good car to end his career in, he's the best there is.
I am of an opinion that F1 doesn’t need Hamilton.
We need fast, technologically advanced cars and close racing.
Honestly I am a bit excited to think we can Vettel in Mercedes and compare him with GR. Even if that’s for one season only to confirm GR is spectacular talent.
the sport needs new talent ,there is lots of it waiting for a chance.hamilton is old news
In which FIA regulations has been written that an F1 champion has to leave after 7 titles, to make way for new talent? To me, new talent has to beat old talent. Did Schumacher also have to leave after his 7th title to make way for young talent?
no but he knew his days were over, a miserable 2008 and then retirement
EDIT insert 2005+2006
And until the last lap hadn't Lewis put the current holder of the World Championship firmly in his place. Max was soundly beaten & even the Unchristian Horner was heard to say that "we need a miracle" not too long before Lewis was manipulated out of No 8, which would have made him unarguably the 'GOAT'. Think Max will ever get near that with all the new talent around. I think NOT.
I don't think it's just about the loss in Abu Dhabi to Lewis Hamilton. In my view he is a sporty person with a strong sense of fair play and decency. He would have taken his second place, if he felt this was justified. Recently he also spoke about safety in the ring. He would not risk a crash to win he said recently. After the finish in Abu Dhabi he said over the radio that the finish had been manipulated. And frankly said, I thought exactly the same at the time. He was also robbed of an 11.5 second lead at the time if the yellow flag. For strategic reasons he had also no opportunity to change tires during the safety car phase, like Max Verstappen. He was almost doomed to lose in the last round because of his flat tires.This while he led 55 laps until the yellow flag, with many fastest laps and with an 11.5 seconds lead! And this by the arbitrariness of racedirector Masi. I can imagine that Lewis Hamilton will quit if these arbitrariness is not put an end to. Professionals like him don't just race for show, and huge sums of money are involved in Formula 1.
I hope the new FIA-president Mohammed Ben Sulayem will now set clear rules for the use of the yellow and red flag, use of safetycar, and restarting after. And rules for giving back big lead in the event of a yellow or red flag.
Formula 1 is experiencing a huge revival due to the rivalry between the topdrivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Mr Ecclestone should not forget that: there is not yet a good replacement for Lewis Hamilton!
Lovely , just a shame you didn't mention the start of the race incident where Hammy gained all that time but heh your a Lewis fan and he can do no wrong ...
In my view there was a slight touch at turn 6 in lap 1 during te last race in Abu Dhabi, where Lewis Hamilton had to swerve to avoid a crash? Is here a F1-specialist who knows, why this incident almost was unnoticed in the afterthoughts? And which of the two racers was wrong here, if there was one wrong?
PS
As a Dutch i support Max and Lewis both. But to me goes safety and fair play first. When i was young i supported Jacky Stewart, later i supported Nicky Lauda. Then Schumacher ...
To Shroppyfly his post 16.01.2022 at 00:30 hours
Finally I found a professional commentary on my intended touch at Turn 6 of Round 1 in Abu Dhabi on 12/12/2021.
Read in this link, under point 1 of the analysis of the Spanish newspaper Marca:
https://
amp.marca.com/en/f1/
2021/12/12/61b614b9268e
3eae048b45c9.html
> You will first have to enter the whole url yourself, because a linked url may be blocked here.
The move that Lewis Hamilton had to make here to avoid a crash was therefore necessary. Any second(s) of time gained by fleeing through an inside curb will therefore also have been ignored: as compensation for a violation of thr rules.
As far as my knowledge of the rules goes, Max had to give Lewis space to pass, because Lewis had already half overtaken him. Lewis later complained about this too.
It is therefore unrealistic to claim that Lewis owed his subsequent 11/12 second lead in lap 55 to this.
RedBull/Honda and Mercedes are doing what they can to win. The arbitration rules favourable/unfavourable. The public 'makes up' the rest.
Apart from you Maria that calmly stated your views on that last race the rest of the comments so far have been bitter and twisted anti views. Whether they like it or not Lewis Hamilton has been the greatest driver in F1. It does not mean that there have not been other tremendous drivers but Max is not among them. He will never ever achieve what Lewis has done.
Saying that Hamilton in the greatest ever, proves that the majority of people claiming this, have absolutely no idea about the true facts of what a great driver is. How can he be compared to drivers who won world titles when there were only 6 or 8 races in a year? How can he be compared to the greats who raced without seat belts at over 100 mph?
He has had the best car by far, of anyone else ion the grid, and has no idea what it is like to win a championship with a car that doesn’t deserve it, like previous greats have done.
He is a good driver, maybe very good, but his personality and whingeing leaves a lot to be desired as far as a true champion.
If Totodif not force the co drivers to let himby, he would not even have 7 championships. They are the facts, without bias.
Totos just begging Lewis up as the best to the Fia , as leverage to get there way, we know that, the Fia know that, and meeting the sandman in person to beg, that's so sad....
Poor effort Toto
The rules were applied fairly, it's racing. Everyone does not get the best circumstances. Racing is chancy, take it or leave it.
Sooner he leaves F1 the better sick of hearing about him move over you are old news
Wake up & smell the coffee Rick & later in life I hope you will appreciate how lucky you were to be around to witness the talent of Lewis Hamilton. You know that fair but hard overtaker who hardly ever hits other cars or forces them off track, or gives them the opportunity to either crash or give way. Now who was it again who does that all the time. Oh yes, that young chappie from the Netherlands who bludgeons his way past other drivers & calls it an overtaking move.
If what you say is true, why is it that Hamilton has more demerit points on his license than most other drivers, especially Verstaphen? Oh, maybe because he is an expert at making himself look innocent while sending another car into the wall.
You should know your facts before posting.
Demerit Points: Hamilton 2 and Verstappen 7. check your stats first, please.
Points on superlicence are one thing, i advise you to also check how many reprimands Lewis had last yr
EXACTLY
Verstappen’s reckless and unsportsmanlike like driving style, coupled with an incompetent race director who wanted to be the star of the race, have set back F1. Together they turned F1 into a NASCAR calibre event. While many will greet this season with great anticipation , I suspect there are many more ready to tune out unless F1 move quickly and decisively in the right direction.
Unbelievable how the racists jump out of the woodpile when it comes to Lewis Hamilton. George Russell may someday develop into a driver capable of stepping into Lewis' shoes but he's not even close yet. I would say that Max Verstappen is very close in talent to Hamilton and seems to be learning how to keep his car together long enough to finish some races. Good for him. Losing Hamilton because of Masi's screwups would be a sad commentary on F1 and I for one would be sorry to see a driver of Hamilton's huge talent and gifted driving leave because of it.
Max Verstappen has a more aggressive driving style than Lewis Hamilton. Perhaps that will be less now that he has won the F1-title. He has 7 penalty points on his license now against 2 penalty points for Lewis Hamilton. I hope that Max Verstappen will be a bit more careful in the future. Otherwise it remains to be seen, if he's going to get 7 titles without disasters. He has enough talent but he will also have to learn to give and take in the ring.
Well rounded and fair Maria!
Here comes the race card!
I still do not buy it. The rumors are everywhere and have several potential replacements mentioned, all of whom have contracts already. I do not see Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes AMG high and dry. His connection to Toto Wolff and Mercedes is too strong for him to leave them at the last minute. I expect to see him in the cockpit of the new car in Barcelona for the first test. How can he resist the chance to try these new cars and go for WDC #8?
all the greats have moved teams senna prost schumacher, lauda and ermmm even fangio, so why wouldn't he leave Merc, thees no precedent to say he has to stay loyal , but as we know Ferrari aren't ringing him
He may continue , but his reputation is tarnished too and if he doesn't win an 8th, well, lets see, i expect him to retire for multitude of reasons , least alone Max monstered him last year, and he wants another go..!
Max monstered him last year? You must have been watching a different Championship to the one I was watching floppyflo. I suggest you take off your 'rose tinted glasses' & orange t-shirt & prepare to worship true greatness & sportsmanship Hamilton style.
Sadly, you must have missed the fact that Verstaphen lead the title a number of times throughout the year. I would say that you obviously missed the part where Verstaphen monstered Hamilton, who got the lead back by smashing Verstaphen into the wall.
Maybe it would have been best, if Red Bull would have won the 1st price as Best Constructor 2021 and Louis Hamilton as best driver 2021: so the other way round?
PS
What about Monza 2021?
Toto said: "It would be an indictment for the whole of Formula 1 if the best driver decided to stop because of outrageous decisions." I suspect he's speaking for just Lewis...and himself.
100% agree with you. I can’t wait to see Toto throw his dummy out of the pram this year, when he is not allowed to hassle the race director.
Well ham in mb has made f1 pretty dull. Of course he is an excellent driver no doubt. But all this year he has been in lead of the race and no thrill. F1 will be more fun now and 2021 was the best season as I can remember. Finally a team that could fight down MB. I think Max will defend his well earned WC. The last race was lucky for Max. And how many races have been lucky for Ham when red flag or yellow flag served him? The F1 circus will go on with or without Hamilton.
Spot on
In under placed link, you can see the touch I meant before: on lap 1 turn 6 between Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi 12.12.2021.
Repeated question to F1 specialists: who was wrong here, IF a mistake was made?
https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/video.2021-abu-dhabi-grand-prix-absolute-animal-perez-holds-up-hamilton-in-amazing-wheel-to-wheel-duel.1718948532933565728.html
Monza, hardly a high speed dangerous crash like RG-the barrier man or barge your way into a competitor at 160mph Silverstone Hamster, but an over zealous move by Max ill give you that one Maria
Thank you so much. 🐞
But i disagree with you again. Both crashes where dangerous. The international sportspress was clear: both drivers was to talk with for a moment. I guess that happened, because it stayed quiet after Monza ....
I have been an F1 fan for more years than I can remember and have never heard so much bullshit and concentration on two F1 teams
Is it not time to move ahead with a clear clarification of the rules and apply them n a uniform manner not influenced by team principals shouting to the race director in an attempt to influence incident outcomes.
Hopefully farewell LH and give him time to spend his many millions and wear his skirts
Hurray at last Hamster won something , because he wont bugga all else in 2021
Lewis Hamilton’s Extreme E team has earned the honour of winning the first Extreme E Sustainability Award on offer.
But will he turn up to the award ceremony?
We can hope
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