F1

LEWIS HAMILTON will RETIRE from Formula One following the Abu Dhabi controversy, claims Bernie Ecclestone after holding talks with the former world champion’s dad.The British legend, 36, was edged to the 2021 title – what would have been a record-breaking EIGHTH – by Max Verstappen following a shocking final race of the season.
Ex-F1 chief Bernie Ecclestone has claimed Lewis Hamilton will retire following talks with his dadCredit: Getty
Ecclestone spoke to Hamilton’s dad, Anthony, and claimed F1 is not at the forefront of his mind following the Abu Dhabi contorversyCredit: PA
The Dutchman was able to overtake Hamilton on the final lap to his win first world crown after a safety car drama that sparked TWO appeals from Mercedes over race director Michael Masi’s decision making.
Ever since, there has been speculation a ‘disillusioned’ Hamilton could QUIT F1 – with the Brit even unfollowing everyone on his Instagram to further the rumours.
And ex-F1 chief Ecclestone, 91, has now revealed he’s spoken to Hamilton’s dad, Anthony, and believes the Mercedes star won’t return for the 2022 season, which starts in Bahrain in March.
Ecclestone told Blick: “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.”
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Ecclestone added: “A couple of days ago I spoke with his father…
“I realised immediately that he did not want to talk about the future of his son, so we just talked about business.”
Ecclestone continued by saying Hamilton has ‘nothing to gain’ and can ‘only lose’ following Verstappen’s rise to the very top.
Hamilton remained classy in defeat, despite the controversial nature of losing his world crown.
Shortly after, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confirmed both he and Hamilton had grown ‘disillusioned’ following the ‘nightmare’ decision.
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.
“It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened.
“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.
“To be honest, still today I can’t even understand what was happening. For me, that still seems like a nightmare.” More

MOTORSPORT legend Lewis Hamilton has unfollowed EVERYONE on Instagram just days after he was controversially pipped to the F1 title.Final lap drama in Abu Dhabi saw Max Verstappen overtake Hamilton, while on better tyres, after the safety car was forced to come out.
Lewis Hamilton has 29 million followers on Instagram – but doesn’t follow anybody
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes were pipped to the F1 title in controversial fashion
Hamilton has a number of high-profile friends, like Kim Kardashian, but doesn’t follow any of them on Instagram
Hamilton is believed to be devastated at how the F1 title was snatched from him
Hamilton’s Mercedes team were furious at stewards allowing Verstappen to get past a number of lapped cars before the restart, and launched a protest at the result.
They also submitted a notice to appeal the result – but later withdrew this to leave Verstappen as the new F1 champ.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff later admitted Hamilton will NEVER get over being ‘robbed’ of the world title by FIA race director, Michael Masi.
And while Hamilton has kept his silence following the shock in Abu Dhabi, he has made a cull on social media.
He only followed a handful of accounts on Instagram anyway – but now that is down to zero. He previously did the same in 2019.
Hamilton has 29million followers on the social networking site.
Hamilton has had a cull on social media
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Both Hamilton and Wolff shunned the FIA’s gala prize giving ceremony in Paris on Thursday.
But they are believed to have avoided 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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“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.”

The F1 superstar shares a number of blast-from-the-past photos on his social media
Hamilton shows off happy times with his beloved pets
The Brit shares snaps from his life on Instagram More

MERCEDES have introduced their new car for the 2022 F1 season – and fans are very excited.It is less than two weeks since the curtain came down on the 2021 campaign with Lewis Hamilton controversially losing out to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the last lap.
Mercedes are working on their new car – the W13Credit: Twitter / @MercedesAMGF1
A FaceTime call with Toto Wolff was included in the videoCredit: Twitter / @MercedesAMGF1
Mercedes have excited their fans on Twitter with the sneak previewCredit: Twitter / @MercedesAMGF1
Lewis Hamilton will hope the W13 gives him an advantage over Max VerstappenCredit: PA
But Mercedes, led by chief Toto Wolff, are ready to take revenge.
And on Thursday they offered a sneak peek into their new car – the W13.
In an exciting announcement video on Twitter Mercedes wrote: “A new era of F1 starts right here…
“Firing up our 2022 F1 car for the first time – the W13 is ALIVE.”
Within hours the short clip has garnered almost a million views despite failing to show off the final product.
Instead, viewers are treated to shots of mechanics working on the car and the extraordinary roar of the engine.
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Chief Wolff makes a cameo appearance via FaceTime – his enthusiasm is etched across his face.
And that feeling has been matched by F1 fans on social media.
One wrote in response: “Oh wow that’s early. Team you mean business!”
Another added: “We’re winning it all next season.”
And a third said: “Sounds like a winner to me! Hope 2022 is a spectacularly successful year for the whole team!!” More

LEWIS HAMILTON has been backed to return to F1 hungrier than ever despite retirement talk in the wake of his controversial Abu Dhabi defeat.The Mercedes superstar was dramatically robbed of the championship on the last lap of the season by Red Bull rival Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton controversially finished second in Abu DhabiCredit: Getty
After the race Hamilton hinted he may never return – a stance echoed by team boss Toto Wolff.
But F1 supremo Stefano Domenicali reckons the 36-year-old has unfinished business as he bids for a record eighth drivers’ crown.
Domenicali told La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Lewis Hamilton? I’m sure he will recharge his batteries and come back with even more desire than before to win the eighth world title.”
The Abu Dhabi incident left a nasty aftertaste following one of the most exciting F1 seasons in recent years.
Williams driver Nicholas Latifi has revealed how he was sent death threats after his crash led to the bungled safety car deployment.
Fuming Merc bosses protested against the result after stewards allowed a handful of lapped cars past before pulling in the safety car – giving Verstappen clear air to attack Hamilton.
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Hamilton had been on course to take a record eighth title and go one clear of race legend Michael Schumacher.
Asked after the chequered flag whether he would return for 2022, the Brit said cryptically: “We’ll see about next year.”
And his boss Wolff added to the mystery when he revealed the extent to which the season finale had left Hamilton ‘disillusioned’ with the sport.
He said: “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.”
Here is the full line-up for the 2022 Formula 1 season More