Mercedes has indicated with a cryptic social media post that Lewis Hamilton will not be retiring. The Briton’s future in Formula 1 is currently in the air after his defeat by Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. However, the Silver Arrows are confident that the 36-year-old will start this year.
Hamilton was on the verge of winning an eighth F1 title in December while the Brit was just a lap away from stardom.
However, the Briton ended up missing out when Verstappen overtook him in controversial circumstances to win the award for the first time.
Much has been said and written about Hamilton since then and what the future might hold for the Stevenage-born racing driver.
Bernie Ecclestone mischievously added to the rumors last week by claiming the Brit is likely to step down, saying: “I don’t think he’s coming back, I think he won’t compete next year.
“His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too great and I understand him. I spoke to his father a few days ago.
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“It was immediately clear to me that he didn’t want to talk about his son’s future, so we just talked about business.”
But Mercedes has now suggested that Hamilton go ahead with a cryptic social media post.
They uploaded a picture of the 36-year-old and accompanied it with a caption that read: “Adversity can break some; others to break records. “
The message from Mercedes can be interpreted as saying that Hamilton will not break and will actually return to F1 for another title win.
In the past, the Briton has recovered under pressure.
He saw Red Bull dominate with Sebastian Vettel for four years before finally defeating the German in 2014.
And it was a similar story when Nico Rosberg took him to the title in 2016.
Hamilton responded to that setback by winning four trot titles before being beaten by Verstappen this year.
With the Briton under contract with the Silver Arrows until 2023, it seems like he’s not about to end his career.
The FIA recently appointed Mohammed Ben Sulayem as its new boss, with the 60-year-old replacing Jean Todt.
And Ben Sulayem has insisted Hamilton won’t quit just yet, branding retirement talk as “just rumors.”
“No, I don’t think these are just rumors,” he told Marca when asked about the Briton’s possible resignation.
“Did he state that he will not run? Exactly, no.
“Lewis is an important part of the sport with his achievements.”
However, the new FIA chief admitted he had struggled to reach Hamilton since the Abu Dhabi controversy.
“I sent him messages, yes,” he added.
“I don’t think he’s 100% ready yet [to respond] and I understand his position.
“There are also rules that all drivers have to accept. For me there is no particular team or driver who is above respect for the integrity of the FIA.
“But I can’t judge until I have all the data and the first thing on my agenda is to thoroughly analyze what happened in Abu Dhabi.
“In the end we are all human and the stress and pressure was there.
“I think everything will work out. You have to look more into the future than into the past. “
