McLaren chief casts doubts on Lewis Hamilton’s future

The McLaren chief executive, Zak Brown, has warned there is no guarantee Lewis Hamilton will continue to race in Formula One in the 2022 season. The seven-time champion’s future remains undecided after the driver was left angry and disillusioned with the sport having controversially lost the title to Max Verstappen in the 2021 season finale.

Verstappen won his first F1 world championship at the final race of the season in Abu Dhabi, beating Hamilton to the win under highly contentious circumstances. Verstappen overtook Hamilton for victory on the final lap after the FIA race director, Michael Masi, applied and adapted rules regarding the safety car that many perceived as incorrect and led to Hamilton being powerless to defend against the Dutchman.

After a protest by Mercedes the FIA ruled Masi had acted within the rules but such was the disquiet across the paddock at what happened the FIA has instigated a full inquiry into the events. Hamilton said he believed the race had been “manipulated” to ensure he was beaten and is considering whether to retire from F1 as a result. Brown was convinced the British driver was serious.

“I wouldn’t be shocked if he stopped, so no one should take for granted that he is coming back,” he said. “We should not discount or not recognise his frustration, his anger. Maybe he has not made a decision and what he is doing is taking time to make that decision to make sure. Because once it’s made, it’s made, I don’t think we should rule it out or make light of it.”

Hamilton has not commented publicly since the race but Mercedes have indicated he will base any decision over his future on the conclusions and actions taken after the FIA inquiry.

The FIA’s new president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has