F1

LEWIS HAMILTON and his Mercedes team have been stunned to discover the FIA won’t publish their investigation into the controversial Abu Dhabi GP until TWO DAYS before the first race of the season.Hamilton’s future in the sport hangs in the balance on the outcome of the inquest into the title-deciding race which saw race director Michael Masi fail to apply the rules with regard to the safety car.
Lewis Hamilton’s future in the sport hangs in the balanceCredit: Getty
Merc boss Toto Wolff will meet the newly-elected FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem today and says Hamilton is disillusioned by the outcome of the race which saw Max Verstappen win the title.
Hamilton has since stayed silent on social media with Merc desperate to find out the outcome of the investigation before the 37-year-old decides if he wants to race on.
But a statement from the FIA said that the findings will not be presented until the opening day of the 2022 season in Bahrain – a total of THREE months after the race in Abu Dhabi.
It said: “The FIA administration, under the leadership of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has started the detailed analysis of the events of the last Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“On January 19, an item on the agenda of the Sporting Advisory Committee will be dedicated to the use of the Safety Car.
“The outcome of the detailed analysis will be presented to the F1 Commission in February and final decisions will be announced at the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on 18 March.”
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It is believed that Merc want Masi removed from his position as race director after fudging the outcome of the season finale.
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”.
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.
Lewis Hamilton and race rival Max VerstappenCredit: Getty More

LEWIS HAMILTON’s continued silence since the controversial end to the F1 season at the Abu Dhabi GP has sparked fresh speculation the Brit could quit.Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said his star driver was ‘disillusioned’ with how the race was ended as Max Verstappen’s victory saw him crowned world champion.
Lewis Hamilton has so far remained tight-lipped on his futureCredit: Alamy
Hamilton claimed the result was manipulated as race director Michael Masi did not follow the correct rules with regards to the safety car.
Here SunSport looks at the potential replacements IF Hamilton does decide to quit F1.
LANDO NORRIS
The standout performer last year behind Hamilton and Verstappen.
The Brit has a very bright future in F1 and would jump at the chance to join George Russell at Mercedes, as the two are mates.
However, Norris has only just signed a new deal with McLaren, who would be unwilling to allow him to jump ship without some compensation from Mercedes.
Lando Norris recently signed a new deal with McLarenCredit: Getty
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ESTEBAN OCON
The Frenchman was a Mercedes junior driver, like Russell, but still has close links with Wolff.
Like Norris, he is under contract with Alpine, but would also look to get back in the Silver Arrows.
Ocon’s advantage is that he knows the team and they know him, so they would be up to speed quickly.
Esteban Ocon is a former Mercedes junior driverCredit: Alamy
NICO HULKENBERG
The German has plenty of F1 experience after stints with Renault and Force India and has proved to be the ideal super-sub.
Hulkenberg filled in when Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll both tested positive for Covid in 2020.
Last year he was reserve and development driver for the Aston Martin F1 team but unlike Ocon and Norris, he would be a free agent to sign.
Nico Hulkenberg had stints at Renault and Force IndiaCredit: PA
NYCK DE VRIES
Mercedes’ Formula E world champion has bucket loads of ability but was unable to find a seat in F1 after winning the F2 title in 2019.
He has proved excellent in FE but has always longed for an opportunity to race in F1.
The Dutchman, 26, has noticeably been attending more GPs with Mercedes and would be the smartest option as he’s already on the payroll.
Nyck de Vries drives for Mercedes’ Formula E teamCredit: Alamy
VALTTERI BOTTAS
Long shot, but no driver knows Mercedes better than the Finn, who has now joined Alfa Romeo.
He’s moved on but, without the prospect of going up against Hamilton, he could be tempted for a return with a crack at winning the title.
He left on good terms and would also presumably be a good teammate for Russell, but would Merc take a step backwards?
Valtteri Bottas has been Hamilton’s team-mate since 2017Credit: Getty
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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 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.
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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

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