Christian Horner makes Lewis Hamilton retirement plea as Mercedes star considers quitting

Red Bull chief Christian Horner has pleaded with Lewis Hamilton not to retire amid uncertainty over the Brit's future. Talk of the 37-year-old potentially quitting F1 has arisen ever since his failure to win the title. Yet despite Red Bull and Mercedes' fierce rivalry, Horner wants the Brit to keep on racing.

Hamilton had entered the final race of the calendar in Abu Dhabi hoping to win a record eighth title that would have seen him overtake Michael Schumacher.

Yet despite leading for the majority of the race, the Brit was unable to emerge victorious.

An incident with the safety car, coupled with Michael Masi's controversial ruling, paved the way for Max Verstappen to claim the prize instead.

It was a substantial blow to Hamilton who, in the aftermath, said 'we will see' when quizzed about him racing in 2022.

There has been plenty of rumours about the Brit potentially calling time on his career after so long at the top.

But Horner, speaking to Wion, has insisted he wants Hamilton to keep on driving.

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"I certainly hope Lewis will be around this year," Horner said.

"He's still driving at an incredible level, the two drivers last year were in a league of their own.

"But ultimately, it's his choice, it's his career, it's his decision, so I'm sure he will decide what's best for him, what he wants to do, and that's none of our business."

Horner has also revealed he spoke to Hamilton's father, Anthony, after the chaos in the Middle East.

"Yes look, at the end of the day we're a sport, we're not saving lives," he said.

"It's hard and competitive, but there has to be a respect at the end of it.

"It's been a long, hard, tough year, last season and that's why I went to see Toto following the end of the race.

"Unfortunately he