Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes will hear the verdict of an internal FIA investigation into the controversial 2021 season finale in less than two weeks. As the Brit feels “disillusioned” after being controversially guided to the world title by Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi, the results could prove key to his retirement decision, which is still up in the air.
At Yas Marina, FIA Race Director Michael Masi erased Hamilton’s lead behind a late safety car by ordering the lapped drivers between the Brit and Verstappen to get through.
Spectators were then treated to an extremely dramatic final lap, with Hamilton and Verstappen battling bumper to bumper in a bid for the championship.
On fresher tires, the Dutchman clinched his first world title with the overtaking maneuver and made the Red Bull garage go into raptures.
But when the dust settled, F1 fans were forced to question the integrity of Masi’s decision, which almost certainly cost Hamilton an eighth crown.
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Mercedes wanted to appeal the race result before backing away from its stance amid fears the sport’s reputation could be ruined.
Hamilton and Silver Arrow boss Toto Wolff snubbed the FIA awards gala shortly thereafter, risking a penalty.
Aside from being knighted, little has been heard from Hamilton since his agonizing defeat until he appeared in a Mercedes promotional video earlier this week.
That raised hopes he could return to his partner George Russell for the 2022 season, but it’s still believed to depend on the outcome of the FIA’s internal investigation into last season’s controversial final.
The F1 Commission will receive the results from the FIA on February 14th and they are expected to be published in the following days.
However, the FIA reserves the right not to publish the results, which could serve to further sore relations with parties angry at the way last season’s title was decided.
The proposed date leaves Mercedes with a tight turnaround time as they are set to launch their new car – ideally with Hamilton involvement – on February 18th.
Wolff refused to rule out the 37-year-old’s retirement in December and nothing concrete suggests he will return to avenge Verstappen’s triumph.
FIA Executive Director Singles Peter Bayer recently admitted Masi could be axed once the results of the investigation are available.
Another possibility is that Masi shares the role with someone else or gets a small team of people to share responsibility with.
Changes are also being made to the way team bosses can communicate with the race director after Wolff and fellow Red Bull Christian Horner both appeared to pressure Masi in the closing stages of last season.
