Lewis Hamilton’s Return To F1 Reportedly Hinging On Outcome Of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Inquiry

Sir Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One champion, will determine whether to race during the 2022 season or retire based on an inquiry into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

A report by BBC Sports indicates that Hamilton remains “disillusioned” with F1 after the controversial finish to the race in which F1 race director Michael Masi initially declined to allow lapped cars between Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pass the safety car, only to double-back on that decision, and only allowed it for the cars in-between Hamilton, who was in first, and Verstappen who was in second but had several lapped cars in-between them. In doing so, it set up a one-lap sprint between the two drivers tied for first in the F1 standings. Verstappen, who was on newer tires, was able to pass Hamilton for the win and the championship.

Since the race ended, the Formula One world has waited to see if Hamilton would return. The BBC report indicates that Hamilton has lost trust in the racing governing body as a result of the Abu Dhabi race outcome.

Many inside F1 and in the media believe the FIA is not taking the controversial finish seriously enough and that it has eroded the governing body’s credibility. The 2021 season ended with controversy, but their decisions about the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa also raised questions about decision-making. In that race, heavy rain had the field had the grid follow behind the safety car for two laps and was called a “race.”

The inquiry into the events of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was announced after the FIA report about the circumstances of the final laps of the race. The FIA announced that “Following the presentation of a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the Grand Prix and in a constant drive for improvement, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise for the future with all relevant parties will now take place.”

The date for the inquiry to be delivered has not been set. However, the FIA said it would give the “Formula 1 Commission to give a clear mandate for study and proposal to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the support of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified meaningful feedback and conclusions be made before the beginning of the 2022 season.”

Since the end of the 2021 season, Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been elected president of the FIA. He contacted Hamilton five days after the end of the Abu Dhabi race. When asked whether Hamilton was ready to commit to the 2022 season, he said the driver tied for the all-time championship total was non-committal about the upcoming season.

“I don’t think he’s 100% ready to respond right now,” Ben Sulayem said last week. “We don’t blame him. I understand his position.”