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Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – June 27, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after finishing second in the race Pool via REUTERS/Darko Vojinovic
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Formula One F1 – Steiermark Grand Prix – Red Bull Ring, Spielberg, Styria, Austria – June 27, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton after finishing second in the race Pool via REUTERS/Darko Vojinovic
There have been one too many discussions happening around the future of Lewis Hamilton ever since he watched his record eighth championship title slip out of his hands on the final lap of the 2021 Abu Dhabi GP. Consequently, this led to an array of rumors claiming that Hamilton would announce his retirement prior to the start of the 2022 campaign.
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What’s interesting is that this particular rumor appeared despite the fact that Hamilton has an active contract with Mercedes that lasts until the end of 2023 with an option to extend it by another year.
As the rumor mill became more dynamic, a handful of F1 personalities began to chip in with their views on it. Toto Wolff, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, and Zak Brown admitted that the chances of Hamilton backing out of F1 are unfortunately high.
The Mercedes F1 boss, in specific, suggested that losing a legendary driver like Hamilton to the FIA’s poor on-track decisions would be a shame for the entire F1 community.
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Formula One F1- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – Jeddah Corniche Circuit, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – December 5, 2021 Mercedes’ Team Principal Toto Wolff is seen during the race Pool via REUTERS/Andrej Isakovic
However, amid such ample support from leading individuals, Jost Capito, Williams’ CEO and team principal offered a rather contradicting opinion.
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Williams boss unbothered about Lewis Hamilton
During an exclusive interview with RTL, Capito opined that he doesn’t care about whether or not Hamilton stays in F1 next season.
“I don’t care about it, I don’t really care if he drives or not,” he said.
Furthermore, Capito questioned why Hamilton is still keen on racing despite winning seven world championship titles and occupying an F1 seat for over a decade. Instead, he felt that Hamilton must quit as early as possible as there are too many talented young drivers craving an opportunity to prove themselves.
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Formula One F1 – Mexico Grand Prix – Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico – November 5, 2021 Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton during practice REUTERS/Andres Stapff
“It doesn’t matter at all, really doesn’t matter. It’s always said that there aren’t enough places for young drivers. And then I think if someone has been world champion seven times, he’s actually done enough and could make room for a boy, why not?” he concluded.
Overall, these are certainly strong words from Capito who doesn’t seem to share the same perspective as his colleagues. So, will his contradicting words come true this year?
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