Losing the last F1 championship title on the controversial final lap of the Abu Dhabi GP was a heavy blow for Lewis Hamilton. He believes he has been wronged by decisions made by the FIA race director Michael Masi.
A few seconds before the end of the stage, the Englishman even claimed over the car radio that the race had been “rigged”. On the other side, a Mercedes engineer replied: “I’m speechless”.
Since then, the seven-time champion has only made one public statement, later that Sunday. He congratulated Max Verstappen, from Red Bull, for winning the World Championship and left open his continuity in the category. “About next year, we’ll see,” he simply said, as his team began a backstage battle against Masi.
Mercedes formalized a protest minutes after the race, but the arguments were rejected. The team even announced that it would appeal the decision before giving up on going forward.
The FIA itself, however, has opened an internal inquiry and promises to present its findings in February. The final decision on the Abu Dhabi GP will be announced on March 18, two days before the 2022 season opener at the Bahrain GP. The delay displeases Hamilton.
According to British portals BBC Sports and Sky Sports, the English are “disillusioned” with F1. The delay in resolving the case only adds to the frustration.
Also according to BBC Sports, Mercedes’ decision to withdraw its protest would be part of a deal that is being stitched behind the scenes. The deal would involve the dismissal of Michael Masi and also that of Nikolas Tombazis, technical director of single-seaters. None of them came forward.
The FIA’s investigation is being led by the new FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has revealed that he has sought contact with Hamilton, but to no avail.
“I’ve sent messages, but I don’t think he’s 100% ready to answer them yet. We can’t blame him, I understand his position,” said the leader, who took office earlier this month.
The reclusive stance adopted by the Briton added to the lack of an assertive response from Mercedes about his future started to fuel speculation around a possible retirement of the driver. With less than a month to go before the start of the pre-season, scheduled for February 23, his presence on the grid is still uncertain.
The silence and questions raised from this have been used by Hamilton boss Toto Wolff to pressure the FIA. “It would be an indictment for the whole of F1 if the best driver decided to leave [da categoria] because of outrageous decisions,” he said. “I really hope we can see you again.”
Hamilton’s scolding stems from the race director’s decision not to comply with the procedures set out in the regulations shortly after an accident that required the safety car to enter, especially at the time of exiting the safety car.
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Article 48.12 of the regulations states that all latecomers must realign themselves around the leaders with the safety car, and the safety car must return to the pits only at the end of the lap following the realignment. If the director had followed the rule, the race would have ended on lap 58 and ended under a yellow flag, with the Englishman in first. The position would earn him his eighth title.
The race direction even forbade drivers who were one lap behind Hamilton and Verstappen to overtake the pair, but later allowed only five – Lando Norris, Fernando Alonso, Esteban Ocon, Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel to do so. With the tires more worn, Hamilton saw the Red Bull rival take the lead and win the dispute.
Advised not to give interviews, the Brit has only made two public appearances since then, the first when he was awarded the title of Knight of the Order of the British Empire and the second when he attended the farewell of now-ex-teammate Valteri Bottas. Even from social media, where he also usually talks about social issues, he disappeared. Hasn’t posted anything since December 11, 2021.
Both Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and people close to Hamilton avoid speaking on his behalf. Nicolas, the seven-time champion’s brother, said only that “he is taking a break from social media.”
On February 18, the German team will present its new car in a virtual event. Hamilton’s presence, as well as that of his new teammate, George Russell, is expected. Before that, Wolff promises to have a meeting with the ace. “And it won’t be to drink a tequila. I’ve had enough in Abu Dhabi”, joked the leader.
From the conversation between the two will come the definition of the future of the Briton in F1. He has a contract with Mercedes until 2023. The 2022 season is expected to be his 15th in the category, his 10th with the German team, for which he has won six of his seven titles.
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