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Lewis Hamilton could QUIT F1 after being left ‘disillusioned’ by Max Verstappen’s title win, says Mercedes boss Wolff

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LEWIS HAMILTON could sensationally QUIT Formula One following Max Verstappen’s controversial win in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Hamilton will NEVER get over being ‘robbed’ of the world title by FIA race director, Michael Masi.

Lewis Hamilton is a seven-time F1 world championCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Max Verstappen claimed victory on the final lap of the seasonCredit: Reuters

It comes as Hamiton’s team decided to withdraw their intention to appeal against the result, as SunSport reported.

Both Hamilton and Wolff will both shun the FIA’s gala prize giving ceremony in Paris on Thursday, potentially triggering a fine for failing to attend.

But Wolff is more concerned that the seven-time world champion will now turn his back on F1 altogether.

Wolff said: “Lewis and I are disillusioned at the moment. We are not disillusioned with the sport – we love the sport with every bone in our body and we love it because the stopwatch never lies.

“But if we break that fundamental principle of sporting fairness and authenticity, then suddenly the stopwatch doesn’t become relevant anymore because we are exposed to random decision-making, it is clear you may fall out of love with it.

“You start to question if all the work you have been putting in – all the sweat, tears and blood – can actually be demonstrated by performance on track, because it can be taken away randomly.

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Hamilton congratulated his rival after the raceCredit: Splash

“It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday, I don’t think we will ever get over it. That’s not possible. And certainly not as a driver.

“I very much hope that the two of us and the rest of the team can work through the events but we will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday.

“To be honest, still today I can’t even understand what was happening. For me, that still seems like a nightmare.”

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When pushed if he’d received any assurances that Hamilton – who was knighted on Wednesday – would honour his new Mercedes deal that runs until the end of 2023, Wolff was unable to state whether he would remain in the sport.

He added: “On a human level it’s extremely difficult because it’s so disappointing.

“This is just Formula One but it’s our little microcosm and we have created values and beliefs.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff fumed at stewards in Abu DhabiCredit: Splash

“Many of those values and beliefs were kicked on Sunday. So I would very much hope that Lewis continues racing because he’s the greatest driver of all time.

“We will be working through the events over the next weeks and months.

“I think as a racer his heart will say ‘I need to continue’ because he’s at the peak of his game, but we have to overcome the pain that was caused on Sunday, also because he is a man with clear values and it’s difficult to understand that that happened.

“I need to do the utmost I can to help him to overcome his imminent feelings in order to ensure that he returns strong, with a love of the sport, and trust in the decision-making of the sport next year.

“We wish very much that this will be the case.”

F1 star Lewis Hamilton is knighted for his contribution to Motor Sport

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk

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