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    Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future over retirement won’t be decided until late February with FIA’s Abu Dhabi probe underway

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S Formula One future will not be decided until late February.The FIA is not expected to complete its review into the controversial title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP until next month at the latest.
    Lewis Hamilton’s Formula One future will not be decided until late FebruaryCredit: Alamy
    The Brit was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title by Max VerstappenCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    Hamilton was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title on the final lap in 2021.
    Max Verstappen’s controversial win in Abu Dhabi sparked a furious reaction from Mercedes who immediately protested the outcome of the race.
    However, they later withdrew their appeal for another check after the FIA promised to investigate the events surrounding the use of the safety car.
    According to Sky Sports, the formal investigative side of the inquiry began on Monday.
    The inquiry team wants to interview all those individuals involved in the controversy, with race director Michael Masi, stewards, drivers and team representatives all included.
    This comes after stewards submitted their report the following week after the race.
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    The FIA’s secretary general of motor sport, Peter Bayer, is heading up the process with new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem ‘taking a personal involvement in the review’ and dealing with it as a matter of urgency.
    Seven-time champion Hamilton, who was knighted in December, could still retire before the 2022 Formula One season.
    He will wait for the results of the FIA’s investigation into the Abu Dhabi GP before deciding if he wants to stay in F1.

    Hamilton is ‘disillusioned’ with the sport after he was denied victory at the Yas Marina Circuit where Masi fudged the rules.
    Masi did not follow the rules with regard to the safety car, resulting in a single lap showdown with Hamilton and Verstappen.
    However, the Dutchman was on fresh tyres and Hamilton was a sitting duck, with the Merc man claiming the race was ‘manipulated’.
    The star has not yet spoken about the incident other than a short post-race interview. He’s also refused to post on social media.
    After the Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton said ‘we will see about next year’ in a cryptic interview with Jenson Button.
    Neither he nor his Mercedes team did any further interviews following the race.
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    Lewis Hamilton STILL not broken cover exactly one month after Abu Dhabi GP chaos as retirement talk intensifies

    LEWIS HAMILTON will wait for the results of the FIA’s investigation into the Abu Dhabi GP before deciding if he wants to stay in F1.The Brit is “disillusioned” with the sport after he was denied victory at the Yas Marina Circuit where race director Michael Masi fudged the rules.
    It is not clear whether or not Hamilton will start the 2022 F1 seasonCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    It resulted in Max Verstappen taking the chequered flag – and the F1 world crown – much to Hamilton and his Mercedes team’s anger.
    Hamilton has not yet spoken about the incident other than a short post-race interview. He’s also refused to post on social media.
    Wednesday marks a month since the race with the FIA promising an investigation into what happened in race control.
    Masi did not follow the rules with regard to the safety car, resulting in a single lap showdown with Hamilton and Verstappen.
    However, the Dutchman was on fresh tyres and Hamilton was a sitting duck, with the Merc man claiming the race was “manipulated”.
    So far, there has been silence from the FIA and Masi with regard to the status of their investigation, despite requests from SunSport.
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    After the Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton said ‘we will see about next year’ in a cryptic interview with Jenson Button.
    Neither he nor his Mercedes team did any further interviews following the race.
    Hamilton, who was knighted in December, also ignored newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s messages – and skipped the FIA end-of-season gala.
    But despite the radio silence, Ben Sulayem is confident Hamilton will be battling to reclaim the world title when the season starts in Bahrain in March.
    He said: “No, I don’t think he will quit.
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    “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 One, the new era can add to Lewis’ wins and achievements, and also Verstappen is there.
    “I am very confident that you will see a very challenging Formula One season next year.” More

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    Lewis Hamilton’s F1 future still up in air and retirement could happen ‘depending on FIA’s probe into Abu Dhabi GP’

    LEWIS HAMILTON could still retire before the 2022 Formula One season, according to reports.Question marks still surround what is next for Hamilton with various suggestions he could quit.
    Lewis Hamilton could wave goodbye to Formula One before the new season gets underwayCredit: Splash
    The Brit was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title on the final lap in 2021.
    Max Verstappen’s controversial win in Abu Dhabi sparked a furious reaction from Mercedes who immediately protested the outcome of the race.
    However, they later withdrew their appeal for another check after the FIA promised to investigate the events surrounding the use of the safety car.
    F1’s governing body confirmed that probe on December 15 but according to Sky Sports, a delay in the findings could impact Hamilton’s future in the sport as the clock ticks down to the Bahrain GP on March 20.
    Sky Sports reporter Craig Slater said: “With 69 days to go until the first Grand Prix in Bahrain, it is still unclear whether Lewis Hamilton will be on the grid.
    “In terms of Hamilton coming back to Formula One, having the appetite to do so and getting over the ‘disillusionment’ that his team boss Toto Wolff said he felt after Abu Dhabi, the onus is on the FIA to deliver on the pledge they made before Christmas to investigate the happenings on that final lap and to come up with some findings.
    @font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Regular.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Medium.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:500;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:400;font-stretch:semi-condensed;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-Bold.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:normal;font-display:swap;}@font-face{font-family:’The Sun’;src:url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff2’) format(‘woff2’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.woff’) format(‘woff’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.ttf’) format(‘truetype’),url(‘/assets/fonts/the-sun/TheSun-HeavyNarrow.svg#’) format(‘svg’);font-style:normal;font-weight:700;font-stretch:condensed;font-display:swap;}.css-qu9fel{border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-b9nmbi{margin-bottom:16px;border-top:1px solid #dcdddd;}.css-1qsre5o{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;}.css-q8gelu{margin-bottom:24px;}.css-7ysxcx{padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-7ysxcx:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:center;-webkit-box-align:center;-ms-flex-align:center;align-items:center;-webkit-flex-direction:row;-ms-flex-direction:row;flex-direction:row;-webkit-box-pack:justify;-webkit-justify-content:space-between;justify-content:space-between;padding:0;text-transform:uppercase;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-jkwlot:hover:not(:disabled){-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}.css-zkaekv{font-family:The Sun;font-size:24px;line-height:1.1666666666666667;font-weight:400;letter-spacing:0%;font-stretch:semi-condensed;padding:1px 0px;}.css-zkaekv::before{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-bottom:calc(-0.24520833333333342em + -1px);}.css-zkaekv::after{content:”;display:block;height:0;width:0;margin-top:-0.2333333333333334em;}.css-1lobn43{display:inline;font:inherit;margin:0;color:rgba(0,0,0,1);}.css-1lobn43 svg{fill:rgba(0,0,0,1);}Most read in Sport.css-1gojmfd{margin-bottom:16px;}.css-zdjvqv{display:-webkit-box;display:-webkit-flex;display:-ms-flexbox;display:flex;height:100%;-webkit-align-items:flex-start;-webkit-box-align:flex-start;-ms-flex-align:flex-start;align-items:flex-start;-webkit-align-content:flex-start;-ms-flex-line-pack:flex-start;align-content:flex-start;-webkit-box-flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-wrap:nowrap;-ms-flex-wrap:nowrap;flex-wrap:nowrap;-webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column;-webkit-box-pack:space-around;-ms-flex-pack:space-around;-webkit-justify-content:space-around;justify-content:space-around;margin-top:calc(-12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(-12px/2);}.css-zdjvqv:before,.css-zdjvqv:after{content:”;display:block;}.css-1meuhfk{display:-webkit-inline-box;display:-webkit-inline-flex;display:-ms-inline-flexbox;display:inline-flex;margin-top:calc(12px/2);margin-bottom:calc(12px/2);}
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    “It is understood that Mercedes want to see something tangible. It’s been put to me like this: the longer this drags on then the worse the Lewis Hamilton situation is, and that is from a senior source.”
    After the Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton said ‘we will see about next year’ in a cryptic interview with Jenson Button.
    Neither he nor his Mercedes team did any further interviews following the race and he has not posted on social media since.
    Hamilton, who was knighted in December, also ignored newly-elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem’s messages – and skipped the FIA end-of-season gala.
    But despite the radio silence, Ben Sulayem is confident Hamilton will be battling to reclaim the world title when the season starts in Bahrain in March.
    He said: “No, I don’t think he will quit.
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    “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 One, the new era can add to Lewis’ wins and achievements, and also Verstappen is there.
    “I am very confident that you will see a very challenging Formula One season next year.”
    I don’t think Lewis is coming backBernie Ecclestone
    Mercedes have posted a series of tweets of Hamilton – dubbed ‘Mr Mercedes’ – to hint the Stevenage star will be joining winter testing at the end of February.
    However, even former F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone reckoned Hamilton’s time was up because he is ready to explore other ventures.
    Ecclestone said: “I don’t think he is coming back, I think he will not race next year.
    “His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too great, and I understand him.
    “Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it is the perfect time for him to fulfil his dream and be a fashion entrepreneur.”
    Elsewhere, Red Bull boss Christian Horner insisted the ‘best is yet to come’ from his team.
    In a throwback post to when he joined in 2005, the team principal reflected on their five drivers’ championships and four constructors’ titles but fired the warning shot at Mercedes. More

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    Lewis Hamilton fired warning about Red Bull as Christian Horner shares incredible fresh-faced 2005 throwback picture

    LEWIS HAMILTON was warned the ‘best is yet to come’ by Red Bull boss Christian Horner.The team principal took to Instagram this weekend to post a throwback photo dating back to joining Red Bull in 2005.
    Christian Horner posted this throwback pic from 2005 on Instagram
    The Red Bull boss warned Lewis Hamilton and the rest of F1 ‘the best is yet to come’Credit: Getty
    Clean-shaven Horner, now 48, wore a brown suit jacket and blue check shirt for his first day in the new job.
    He captioned the brilliant pic: “17 years ago today as a fresh-faced 31-year-old I joined Red Bull Racing.
    “Seems like yesterday – what an incredible journey it has been so far with an amazing group of people and the best is yet to come.
    “Happy New Year #redbullracing”
    The post received almost 250,000 likes.
    Since joining Red Bull as Formula One’s youngest team principal in 2005, Horner has led his team to five drivers’ and four constructors’ world championships.
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    Sebastian Vettel and Red Bull did the double four years on the bounce between 2010 and 2013 before Mercedes dominated with Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
    However, 2021 saw Red Bull return to the top of the drivers’ podium as Max Verstappen pipped Hamilton to the title in dramatic and controversial fashion in Abu Dhabi.
    Although the Dutchman claimed the individual gong, it was Mercedes who claimed the team prize by just 28 points.
    Horner and Red Bull will be desperate to retain the drivers’ title with Verstappen in 2022 and hope Sergio Perez can help see of Hamilton and new team-mate George Russell at their arch-rivals.
    The Coventry fan, married to Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, has two months to finalise plans for the new season which gets underway on March 20 in Bahrain.
    Horner knows his No1 driver could be in trouble if he continues his high-risk-high-reward style on the track because Verstappen is five penalty points away from a one-race ban.
    There were suggestions radio-silent Hamilton could quit F1 following his heartbreaking finish to the last campaign where he and his team believed the FIA ignored the rulebook to set up the showdown final lap.
    However, Mercedes posted a tweet of their superstar driver looking pensive in his racing suit, with the image captioned: “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.”
    Horner married Spice Girl Geri Halliwell in May 2015 and had a son together in January 2017Credit: AP
    Horner and Max Verstappen celebrate winning the drivers’ F1 championship in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty More

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    ‘Left big scars’ – Lewis Hamilton driven to succeed after suffering racism hell as young go-karter, Merc chief reveals

    LEWIS HAMILTON’S mental strength can’t be questioned after the harrowing racism he suffered as a young go-karter, reveals Mercedes principal Toto Wolff.The Brit, who turned 37 on Friday, hasn’t been heard from since last season’s controversial finale in Abu Dhabi.
    Lewis Hamilton suffered disgusting treatment as a young karterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    British hero Hamilton regularly stands up for equalityCredit: Getty
    Hamilton’s future in the sport has been questioned with retirement rumours rife.
    He is expected to come back stronger given his previous experiences, as Wolff explained while speaking to Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung.
    The Austrian, 49, said: “As a child he was insulted on the go-kart track.
    “White parents forbade their children to interact with him; that definitely left big scars on him too.
    “For him, racing was the valve to show everyone, and it still is.”
    Hamilton has often used his public platform to fight racial prejudice.
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    He has called on Formula 1 to address diversity issues within the sport.
    While he has also ploughed £20million into launching his own Mission 44 foundation, which aims to support young people from under-represented backgrounds.
    Hamilton believes that fighting for these worthwhile causes has helped his racing.
    He told Sky Sports in October: “So now it’s the work that I’m doing in the background and then I’m turning up and I’m enjoying this job. Is it helping me race? I think so.
    “It’s like my new drive and I feel like it’s giving me more longevity because it’s a lot of work we have to do. I feel like it also gives my life real purpose. Racing is not a purpose, it’s something you do.”
    Hamilton has also repeatedly stood up for the LGBTQ+ community, most recently wearing a rainbow helmet in Qatar and Saudi Arabia – countries in which homosexuality is a criminal offence.
    Hamilton has regularly donned a rainbow helmetCredit: AFP
    Toto Wolff is in contact with HamiltonCredit: Getty
    SunSport understands that Mercedes ARE in contact with Hamilton, despite his public silence.
    It is also understood that he feels that by saying nothing, he is shifting the focus on to the FIA and keeping the pressure firmly on their investigation.
    In the aftermath of FIA race director Michael Masi’s fudging of the rules that led to Max Verstappen beating Hamilton to last year’s title, Wolff gave his thoughts on the seven-time champion’s future.
    He told RacingNews365: “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 upon him on Sunday, also because he is a man with clear values, and it’s difficult to understand that that happened.”

    Hamilton is expected to carry on this yearCredit: Alamy More

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    F1 star George Russell and girlfriend Carmen Montero Mundt relax in St Barts as he prepares to partner Lewis Hamilton

    GEORGE RUSSELL is making the most of his holiday in the Caribbean before a career-changing move to Mercedes to team up with Lewis Hamilton next season.Russell, 23, and partner Carmen Montero Mundt were spotted strolling arm-in-arm on a romantic walk on a St Barts beach.
    George Russell and his partner Carmen Montero Mundt stroll along a beach in St BartsCredit: IMP/Backgrid/EliotPress/MEGA
    The British racer is enjoying a relaxing off-season before he joins the Mercedes team.Credit: IMP/Backgrid/EliotPress/MEGA
    Girlfriend Carmen hugs Russell on their vacationCredit: IMP/Backgrid/EliotPress/MEGA
    The pair were spotted relaxing on the Caribbean island before March’s F1 2022 seasonCredit: IMP/Backgrid/EliotPress/MEGA
    Chilling out on the private beach of the luxurious Eden Rock hotel during the island’s holiday season, Carmen wore a one-piece swimsuit as she hugged the ex-Williams driver.
    The pair have reportedly been together since 2020, with the beauty believed to work at a City investment firm.
    Russell was confirmed as Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate towards the end of last season.
    He replaces Valtari Bottas, with the Finnish veteran joining Alfa Romeo Racing.
    Russell achieved his first and only F1 podium with Williams at the 2021 Belgian Grand Prix.
    But the Norfolk-born racer is hoping to be in the thick of the championship race next season.
    There is huge excitement around Mercedes combining the two British drivers, despite them being at separate ends of their careers.
    However, there are fears that Hamilton may be considering retirement.
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    Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season
    Having cancelled all media duties, Hamilton has not spoken publicly since he missed out on winning the title on the final lap in Abu Dhabi.
    On the move to Mercedes to pair with Hamilton, Russell has previously stated: “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t absolutely buzzing.
    “It’s a huge opportunity and one I want to grab with both hands.
    “But I’m under no illusions as to the scale of the challenge, it’s going to be a steep learning curve.”
    The F1 season officially kicks off with the first race of the season in Bahrain in mid-March.
    The luxurious Eden Rock hotel beach was the choice of destination for Russell and CarmenCredit: IMP/Backgrid/EliotPress/MEGA More

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    Lewis Hamilton shocked he has never raced for Ferrari during epic F1 career and admits ‘it’s not really been possible’

    LEWIS HAMILTON has admitted his surprise at never making the move to Ferrari.As the grandest name of Formula One over the decades, the Scuderia have previously employed legends including Michael Schumacher, Juan Manuel Fangio and Fernando Alonso.
    Lewis Hamilton remains under contract with Mercedes until 2023Credit: PA
    The F1 legend opened up on his relationship with Ferrari back in SeptemberCredit: Splash
    But British star Hamilton has never stepped into the famous red overalls, and has not even been close to doing so.
    Links did emerge last year but the legend, who has recently fuelled retirement talk after missing out on the F1 title to Max Verstappen last month, remains under contract with Mercedes until the end of 2023 and has described a switch to the Prancing Horse as ‘never really possible’.
    Speaking to Sky Italia back in September, via GPToday, he noted: “For years, whenever I come to Monza and see the fans, I hear them saying, ‘Come to Ferrari!’.
    “It warms my heart but it’s pretty amazing that I’ve never driven for Ferrari after so many years.
    “Because it’s a dream for everyone, a goal to be achieved.
    “It’s never really been possible and I will never quite know exactly why.
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    “I wish them the best and in the near future I will just have to stop them from winning the world championship instead [laughs].
    “I have a couple of Ferraris at home that I can drive, but not the F1 Ferrari.”
    Hamilton was signed to McLaren from a young age and raced for six years with the British team, winning the 2008 world title.
    McLaren’s decline coincided with old team-mate Fernando Alonso joining Ferrari and a renewal of their fiery relationship was not on the cards.
    In 2013, he replaced Michael Schumacher at Mercedes and will now hopefully be vying for a record eighth F1 title crown. More

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    Lewis Hamilton’s silence over retirement should be taken seriously but Mercedes ARE in contact with F1 star over future

    LEWIS HAMILTON will celebrate his 37th birthday today – not that we are expecting to hear too much from the seven-time F1 champ.Since he missed out on winning the title in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton has not spoken publicly other than in a very short post-race interview.
    Lewis Hamilton has so far refused to speak about his futureCredit: Getty Images – Getty
    A controversial safety car call gifted Max Verstappen victory in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
    He cancelled his usual media duties while his Mercedes team lobbied against Max Verstappen’s controversial victory at the Yas Marina Circuit, which allowed the Dutchman to win his first world title.
    Their two challenges to overturn the race result failed and a week later Merc boss Toto Wolff confirmed the team would pull their legal threat altogether.
    Instead, Wolff said the team would put their faith into the sport’s governing body, the FIA, to investigate the actions of the stewards and race director, Michael Masi.
    Crucially, Wolff also hinted that he was unsure whether Hamilton would now return to honour his two-year deal with his team for this and next season.
    So where does that leave us?
    SunSport understands that Mercedes ARE in contact with Hamilton, which would imply he is not yet ready to quit.
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    However, the fact he has not spoken publicly – about any matter, not just the race in Abu Dhabi, for he also failed to acknowledge his knighthood ceremony – SHOULD still be taken with significance.
    There is a distinct feeling that while he was gracious in defeat to Verstappen, there is the nagging feeling of injustice as Masi fudged the rules.
    To use Hamilton’s words, who radioed his team on that final lap, saying ‘this race has been manipulated’.
    He clearly feels that by saying nothing, he is shifting the focus on to the FIA and keeping the pressure firmly on their investigation.
    Let’s remember. Firstly, Mercedes believe that, should they have taken it to court, they’d have won and it was a joint decision between the team and Hamilton not to pursue it.
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    Hamilton was gracious in defeat at Yas Marina CircuitCredit: Getty
    Secondly, in the past the FIA have had a history of hushing up their investigations. In 2019 a detailed look into Ferrari’s engine resulted in a controversial private settlement between the two parties with the FIA’s findings kept a secret.
    Finally, there is a new president of the FIA, Mohammed ben Sulayem. 
    Not only that, he has been a prominent voice and condemned Hamilton’s failure to attend the organisation’s gala dinner in Paris just before Christmas.
    Neither Hamilton or Wolff attended the event with the Austrian saying his no-show was in support of his driver, who was left ‘disillusioned’ by events in Abu Dhabi.
    Having lost the race in controversial circumstances and then taken a further kicking from the organisation will surely hurt and it is more of a surprise to see Mercedes and Hamilton biting their tongues.
    Hamilton’s image is being plastered across F1’s social and digital adverts to promote the 2022 season and the reality is we don’t know for sure if he will even return.

    Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said the driver was ‘disillusioned’Credit: Alamy
    I suspect it is likely that he will but for the meantime the attention should be shifted from his silence and on to the FIA and the details of their findings into their own failures.
    The outcome in Abu Dhabi left a sour taste, even for the most staunch Verstappen fan, who ultimately deserved his championship title.
    Mercedes – and Hamilton – want answers and not see the matter brushed under the carpet as in some of the previous years.
    Despite withdrawing their legal challenge, they don’t want this matter simply to go away unchallenged.
    So, for the meantime, Hamilton will remain quiet on the subject of the FIA and their subsequent findings.
    After all, his silence is already speaking volumes on how he feels about it. More