1997 F1 World Champion Jacques Villeneuve has made a somber statement about Lewis Hamilton’s possible retirement. The recent lap fiasco in Abu Dhabi cast dark clouds over the Brackley team’s future course of action. Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton lost his record eighth world title after a controversial finish.
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Hamilton, together with team boss Toto Wolff, canceled the FIA awards gala in Paris in protest. There has been much debate about Hamilton’s future with the sport but nothing concrete has come out yet. Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone suggested the Silver Arrows star might simply say goodbye to his place in F1. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff also issued a statement further substantiating these claims.
Amidst all the speculation and judgment, Villeneuve has had this conversation with Nico Rosberg as an example.
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Formula One F1 – Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – December 12, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton shakes hands with Red Bull team principal Christian Horner after winning in the race and World Championship REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed came second
Lewis Hamilton, like Nico in 2016, could make a difficult decision
Jacques Villeneuve is known for voicing upfront opinions without a filter, and many fans admire him for it. He recently dropped a lawsuit over the Mercedes luminary’s resignation.
“No one expected Rosberg to retire. He woke up one morning and told everyone that he was no longer passionate about racing. It doesn’t look like it for Lewis, but who knows? It’s hard to know what’s on people’s minds,” said the Canadian.
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Nico Rosberg drove for Mercedes from 2010 to 2016. Hamilton and Rosberg had a longstanding relationship since their karting days, but that faded over time as the two began fighting for championships together. After 3 years of intense struggles, Rosberg achieved his life goal of an F1 championship in 2016.
In the press conference after the 2016 Abu Dhabi GP, Hamilton mentioned that he was looking forward to the next championship fight alongside Nico. Days later, however, it came as a surprise to many, including the Mercedes team, that Rosberg decided to step down from his seat. He announced his retirement out of thin air and Villeneuve used this analogy when giving his opinion on Hamilton’s retirement.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – NOVEMBER 27: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP congratulates runner-up and World Drivers Champion Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP on the podium during the Abu Dhabi Formula 1 Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on November 27, 2016 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
Fans are waiting to see their favorite driver back on the grid in the F1 cockpit. How do you think this saga will end?
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