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.
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Following the contentious race in Abu Dhabi last month, newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is sure that Lewis Hamilton will not retire from Formula One. After a late restart by race control that did not appear to obey the regulations, Hamilton was passed by Max Verstappen on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, missing out on a record-breaking eighth world championship.
Mercedes initially objected to the restart procedure and considered filing a new appeal, but decided against it after the FIA declared it would conduct a comprehensive inquiry into the incident in Abu Dhabi.
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.
Last month, Ben Sulayem was elected as the next FIA president, and he’s already planning modifications to F1’s rulebook to avoid a repeat of the Abu Dhabi incident.
Asked during a press briefing ahead of the Dakar Rally if he was afraid that Hamilton may not race next year, Ben Sulayem said: “No, I don’t think he will [quit].”
“I’ll ask your question: did Lewis declare that he’s not going to race? No. Exactly. Being a driver, you declare yourself, you don’t let the rumours [talk]. I’m confident that Lewis [will return]. Lewis is a big part of motorsport, and of course of Formula 1, the new era [can add to] Lewis’s wins and achievements, and also Verstappen is there. I am very confident that you will see a very challenging Formula 1 season next year,” he added.
Also Read – Lewis Hamilton will ‘never overcome pain and distress’ of Abu Dhabi GP: Toto Wolff
Ben Sulayem emphasised the importance of the FIA being proactive rather than reactive in settling sporting regulations in order to avoid a repeat of the Abu Dhabi incident.
“I am going to study the case of what happened in Abu Dhabi, and a decision will be taken how to go forward without any pressure from anyone,” Ben Sulayem said.
“The integrity of the FIA, it is my job and duty to protect it, but it doesn’t mean that we do not look into our regulations, and if there is any improvement [to make], we will. I said in my first press conference, this is not the book of God. This is written by humans. It can be improved and changed by humans. So that’s it,” he added.
