Hamilton has shunned social media and pretty much all interaction with the outside world, especially that involving Formula One.
Follow Us
In the aftermath of the Abu Dhabi weekend, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem disclosed that Lewis Hamilton has not responded to a number of messages addressed to him. Except for a brief statement after being knighted on 15 December, the seven-time world champion has been mostly silent since the chequered flag fell at the Yas Marina Circuit. He is said to have spent Christmas in Colorado with his father.
Hamilton has shunned social media and pretty much all interaction with the outside world, especially that involving Formula One, since skipping the official prize-giving event days after the controversial season finale. While speculation rages over whether the events of December 12 will prompt Hamilton to retire from the sport, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the recently elected FIA president, has stated that his messages to Hamilton have gone unanswered.
“I sent him messages, yes,” he told Spanish publication Marca. “I think he is not 100% ready yet, and I understand his position.”
Asked if he feels Hamilton will turn his back on F1, Ben Sulayem replied: “No, I don’t think so, they are just rumours. Has he declared that he is not going to run? Exactly, no. Lewis is an important part of the sport with his achievements.”
Ben Sulayem, who took office just hours ago and warned Hamilton that he could be penalised if he missed the ceremonial prize-giving, hasn’t helped matters.
Also Read – Lewis Hamilton news: New FIA President confident Brit will not retire from F1
“There are rules that must be accepted by all drivers,” Ben Sulayem told Marca. “For me there is no particular team or driver above the respect for the integrity of the FIA. But I cannot judge until I have all the data and the first thing on my agenda is to thoroughly analyse what happened in Abu Dhabi. In the end we are all human and the stress and pressure was there. I think it will all work out. You have to look more to the future than to the past.”
Hamilton hasn’t spoken publicly since a quick interview in the pits after the Abu Dhabi race, and he hasn’t posted anything on social media since the day before the title decider. Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes F1, said that the events in Abu Dhabi had left both him and Hamilton disillusioned, and that he hoped Lewis would continue racing.
