Newly-elected FIA president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, says he’s not heard back from Lewis Hamilton, despite sending the Mercedes Formula 1 driver “messages”.
Hamilton has kept a low profile since missing out on a record eighth F1 World Championship in Abu Dhabi last month. The Briton was leading the race until a very controversial decision by FIA race director Michael Masi led to Max Verstappen passing Hamilton on the final lap of the race to take the victory and the title.
Although Hamilton was gracious in defeat as he congratulated Verstappen, he later refused to participate in the post-race interviews and snubbed the FIA prize giving gala. Other than a single post on social media following his knighthood, he hasn’t been active at all.
That prompted rumours he could call it a day and retire from F1 to focus on his music and fashion interests, but Ben Sulayem doesn’t believe that will happen.
“No, I don’t think so, they are just rumours. Has he declared that he is not going to run? Exactly, no,” he told Spain’s Marca. “Lewis is an important part of the sport with his achievements.”
Mercedes however offered some solace for Hamilton fans, posting a photo of Hamilton to social media with the caption: “Adversity causes some to break; others to break records.”
Despite trying to communicate with Hamilton to discuss what happened in Abu Dhabi, Ben Sulayem says he hasn’t yet heard back from the 36-year-old: “I sent him messages, yes. I think he is not 100% ready yet [to respond] and I understand his position.
“There are also rules that must be accepted by all drivers. For me there is no particular team or driver above the respect for the integrity of the FIA. But I cannot judge until I have all the data and the first thing on my agenda is to thoroughly analyse what happened in Abu Dhabi.
“In the end we are all human and the stress and pressure was there. I think it will all work out. You have to look more to the future than to the past.”
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