Lewis Hamilton: Mika Hakkinen delivers interesting theory over Brit's Formula 1 future

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Mika Hakkinen has said that Lewis Hamilton will remain in the sport until the Mercedes car stops being one of the most dominant, suggesting that he feels the Briton will be on the grid for 2022 at least.

Speculation has been rife surrounding Hamilton’s future in F1, with many wondering if he could leave the sport after growing ‘disillusioned’ following the final few laps of the 2021 campaign at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December.

Indeed, it remains to be seen whether Hamilton does suddenly walk away, with him currently having a contract with Mercedes until 2023, or whether he is back for the coming campaign with the intention of winning an eighth world title.

For Mika, though, Lewis’ time in the sport isn’t up just yet:

“Lewis’ journey in Formula One has been really long and there are so many elements which will come into his opinion as to whether to continue.

“Lewis has the confidence. He has been winning, he has been on the top of the podium, and everybody has been looking at him like, ‘Wow, you are great’.

“He is thinking that it must continue this way, so this is going to be a very interesting year for him.

“The regulations in Formula One have dramatically changed. It is going to be a completely new machine and the chances are that the designers might not find an optimum machine. If that happens to Lewis it is going to be really hard for him to accept.

“If you have been at the top of the mountain and suddenly you have to climb back up the mountain because you don’t have the best car, it is going to be emotional for him to control.

“There are a lot of question marks surrounding Lewis. We don’t know whether he is coming back, but let’s hope he is.”