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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

MERCEDES have been told that they would have been better off signing Lando Norris for next season than George Russell – had all drivers been available.The Silver Arrows have replaced Valtteri Bottas with Russell for the 2022 season.
Lando Norris impressed in the McLarenCredit: PA
George Russell will partner Lewis Hamilton next yearCredit: Getty Images – Getty
The Brit, 23, has impressed in three seasons with Williams – even earning his first career podium.
Team principal Toto Wolff opted to sign Russell for next season to partner Lewis Hamilton, having kept him on his radar for years as a former Mercedes youth driver.
The F1: Chequered Flag podcast team, however, believe that in an ideal world Norris would have been a better option.
Jack Nicholls said: “If I’m Mercedes and I have a free choice in that second seat alongside Hamilton, I think I’m picking Norris over Russell after this year.”
Jolyon Palmer agreed: “I’m going with Jack on it, I’m going with Lando.
“The way that he held off Lewis Hamilton at the end of that Sochi race until the strategy and the tyre choice got away from him, was unbelievable.
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“For a guy that has never won a race, to have a seven-time World Champion breathing down his neck in a Mercedes…
“Then it starts raining, and he’s still off the road a couple of times, scrabbling around, but keeping Hamilton, we all know how good he is in the wet, behind him.
“It was really legendary stuff I think from Norris.”
The McLaren star penned a new ‘multi-year’ contract back in May – making him unavailable to the likes of Mercedes.
Norris grabbed four podiums in 2021, including a memorable second-place finish in Monza behind team-mate Daniel Ricciardo.
He finished sixth in the Driver Standings, being pipped to fifth by Carlos Sainz.
Russell remarkably secured his first podium in a WilliamsCredit: Reuters
Norris came second in Monza this yearCredit: Reuters More

LEWIS HAMILTON looks set to continue his Formula One career – after hints he would retire before the new season.The British hero, 36, missed out on a record-breaking eighth world championship on the last lap of the 2021 season.
Lewis Hamilton appears set to continue in Formula One with Mercedes in 2022
Max Verstappen overtook him in dramatic fashion after significant help from the safety car and race director Michael Masi to snatch his maiden title.
And there were fears Hamilton would call it a day in the sport after the heartbreaking finale.
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.”
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But Hamilton’s team Mercedes took to Twitter in the New Year – suggesting Hamilton is fired up and raring to go in 2022.
They posted a photo of the Stevenage superstar wearing his race suit looking pensively into the light.
The caption said: “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.”
Hamilton has not posted on social media since the Abu Dhabi GP more than three weeks ago and unfollowed everybody on Instagram.
He has also been ignoring 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.
“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.”
Max Verstappen clinched his first world title in dramatic fashion to pip HamiltonCredit: Getty More

MAX VERSTAPPEN has been voted as F1 driver of the year by his fellow racers. The flying Dutchman landed the award ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who he beat to the title in dramatic circumstances with one lap remaining of the final race of the season.
Verstappen was voted by his fellow peers as 2021 driver of the yearCredit: AP
He beat Hamilton to the prize after dramatically beating him to the titleCredit: PA
According to MotorSport Week, Verstappen topped the voting from his fellow drivers in a poll organised by F1 chiefs.
Interestingly drivers from Mercedes and Red Bull declined to participate, as did those from Alfa Romeo.
That left 14 drivers left to vote using the current F1 point-scoring system – 25 points for first, 18 points for second, 15 points for third and so on.
And it was Verstappen who topped the list, ahead of Brit rival Hamilton.
Verstappen also reportedly came out on top in a vote undertaken by F1 team bosses, again ahead of Hamilton.
The 24-year-old won a maiden F1 title after 10 race victories across the season, and a further eight podiums.
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Hamilton, 36, on the other hand won eight races, and a finished on the podium an additional nine times in 2021.
The pair went into the final race of the season at Yas Marina LEVEL on points, with Hamilton seemingly coasting to victory with five laps left.
But a late Safety Car after a Nicholas Latifi crash cued the most incredible finish, with Verstappen controversially overtaking Hamilton with one lap left.
Mercedes protested the result on two counts, but were rebuffed by F1 chiefs and chose not to appeal the decision.
McLaren’s Lando Norris was voted by his peers as the third-best driver of the year, with Ferrari duo Carlos Sainz and Charles LeClerc fourth and fifth respectively.
Verstappen’s Red Bull partner Sergio Perez, and Hamilton’s Mercedes team Valtteri Bottas, failed to make the top 10.
Fernando Alonso was voted sixth for his efforts with Alpine, while AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly was seventh.
Incoming Mercedes driver George Russell finished in eighth after his impressive season for Williams.
And Esteban Ocon (Alpine) and Mick Schumacher (Haas) were voted ninth and tenth respectively.
Schumacher, son of F1 legend Michael, received a number of votes despite not scoring a single point during the season.
Norris was voted as the third best driver of the yearCredit: PA More

FORMER F1 chief Bernie Eccleston believes Lewis Hamilton would have won an eighth world title if Mercedes had deployed a smarter strategy. Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Max Verstappen on the last lap of the last race at a dramatic Abu Dhabi GP.
Eccleston reckons a better Mercedes strategy would have seen Hamilton win the titleCredit: Getty
Instructions could have been sent to Bottas to wind the engine down, which would have resulted in the Safety Car staying on the trackCredit: The Mega Agency
Hamilton was beaten at the death by Dutchman Verstappen in dramatic and controversial circumstancesCredit: Getty
But Mercedes could have possibly made sure the Safety Car stayed on the track until the end of the race after it was called out with five laps left to go.
That would have meant the leading driver at the time, Hamilton, would have won the race and also the title.
Eccleston was asked by Swiss outlet Blick whether Mercedes could have “radioed to [Hamilton’s team-mate Valtteri] Bottas to let the car coast because they want to preserve the engine.”
Had they done so, in all likelihood the Safety Car would have stayed out and Hamilton would have won the race.
And Eccleston responded: “Pretty clever. I thought of that too, and it would have been ideal to make sure the Safety Car stayed out and the race wouldn’t have been restarted.
“Many people would have been upset, but there wouldn’t have been any changes to the final result.”
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He was then asked if they failure to make the call to Bottas had been costly in handing the championship over to Verstappen.
Eccleston replied: “Right, and I don’t know if Toto Wolff, with a third of the team shares, is still in the same strong position as before.
“But we will find out at some point.”
The controversial result still leaves Hamilton chasing an eighth world title.
His seven championships so far is the joint most of all time, tied with Michael Schumacher.
But following the events that unfolded at Yas Marina, speculation has been rife that Hamilton could even RETIRE from the sport.
However the 36-year-old Brit is expected to take to the grid again next season with Mercedes, but could face an even tougher battle for the title.
New F1 regulations mean Hamilton could face three fresh challengers for the driver’s prize in 2022. More

LEWIS HAMILTON missed out on a record eighth F1 world title by the barest of margins this year, and could face an even tougher challenge for the gong next season. Max Verstappen won the title at Yas Marina in controversial circumstances earlier this month, and the Dutchman will be desperate to defend his title in 2022.
Hamilton is currently tied with Michael Schumacher on seven world titlesCredit: PA
Verstappen denied Hamilton an eighth title this season after a dramatic climaxCredit: Reuters
There are rumours that Hamilton could RETIRE after this year’s thrilling title race, although he is expected to take to the grid once again when the season starts in March.
Verstappen is sure to challenge him for the crown again, but new technical regulations that come into force in 2022 could also make for a wide-open title race.
Here SunSport take a look at just who could rival Hamilton for the championship in 2022.
Max Verstappen
The Red Bull flyer is sure to give it his all to defend his maiden title.
The 24-year-old has stacks of ability behind the wheel and will likely be Hamilton’s biggest challenge next year.
Ten race wins in 2021, and 18 podiums overall, will make Verstappen a leading contender if he replicates that form in 2022.
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George Russell
The 23-year-old Brit is moving to Mercedes from Williams next season to replace the departing Valteri Bottas.
Russell will be Hamilton’s team-mate, but in a much faster car he will be able to showcase more of what he can do.
Russell will be looking to impress in his first season with MercedesCredit: PA
Whether he will be a title challenger remains to be seen, but he impressed when racing in Hamilton’s place during the 2020 Bahrain Grand Prix.
But as Mercedes experienced in the Nico Rosberg and Hamilton days, two drivers competing for the title could do the team more harm than good…
Charles Leclerc
The 2022 shake-up will see cars shoot air upwards, rather than behind them.
That means the drivers are capable of travelling closer together, which in turn leads to closer racing.
One man who could benefit from that is Ferrari driver Leclerc.
Ferrari improved from sixth in the constructors standings in 2020 to third in 2021, and a further upwards trajectory could see Leclerc improve again.
Leclerc has been improving steadily, and could improve again next seasonCredit: Getty
Sergio Perez
Verstappen’s team-mate at Red Bull, Perez showed moments of brilliance last season, finishing fourth in the driver standings.
The 31-year-old Mexican driver is the perfect partner to Verstappen, and valiantly held up Hamilton behind him in Abu Dhabi to help Verstappen ultimately take the chequered flag.
His title credentials remain questionable, but he’s certainly got the car to trouble Hamilton next season on multiple occasions.
And if Russell fails to to adapt immediately at Mercedes, Red Bull will have the tactical advantage of two drivers high on the grid.
Perez is an able to deputy to Verstappen, and will be looking to kick on next seasonCredit: Getty More

MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff has backed the ban on race principals being able to talk to F1 race directors over the radio during races.The Austrian’s comments come as he also admitted ‘overstepping the mark’ with his rant to Abu Dhabi director Micahel Masi during the dramatic final lap of last season’s championship.
Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has backed the ban on team principals being allowed to speak to race directors during Grands Prix next seasonCredit: pixel8000
It comes after he admitted overstepping the mark in his rant at Abu Dhabi race director Michael MasiCredit: Getty
Masi controversially allowed lapped cars to un-lap under the safety car heading into the final circuit and, in doing so, virtually handed the title to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
The Dutchman had fresh tires and flew past Mercedes’ British star Lewis Hamilton – who was leading – prompting a furious outburst from Wolff.
Fuming, the 48-year-old yelled down the publicly broadcast radio: “No, Michael, no, no, Michael, that was so not right.”
In order to let fans understand what is going on and to make races more transparent and entertaining, radio exchanges from the race control channel are broadcast on TV and radio.
But Wolff reckons it’s time for the principal-director line of communication to be axed – in line with a call from F1 managing director Ross Brawn.
Wolff told Motorsport.com: “I agree with Ross.
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“But I equally blame Ross and myself because we have been part of the decision making to broadcast more of the channels for the purpose of transparency and entertainment for the fans.
“There is so much going on on the intercom that giving fans a little bit of an overview of all the little dramas that happen, like is the car breaking down, are we having some kind of strategy discussions, was meant well.
“But I think we overshot.”
Wolff’s Red Bull counterpart Christian Horner could also be heard pressurising Masi to allow the cars to un-lap in the build up.
And Wolff added: “I need to take myself by the nose, and Christian.
“We were given the opportunity to talk to the race director directly, and because we fight so fiercely for the interests of our teams all of us, we overstepped.”
After the controversy surrounding the finale, Brawn revealed principals will no longer be able to speak to the race director during Grands Prix next year.
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He explained: “We will stop this contact next year.
“It’s unacceptable that team bosses put Michael under such pressure during the race.
“It’s like the coaches negotiating with the referee in football.”
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