Lewis Hamilton’s System One future shouldn’t be taken as a right, Zak Brown has insisted – with the McLaren boss admitting he wouldn’t be shocked if the seven-time world champion sensationally quits.
Greater than a month on from the controversial conclusion to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix which denied Hamilton a report eighth title, the Mercedes driver is alleged to be debating whether or not to return to the grid in 2022.
Hamilton has been conspicuous by his absence from social media within the weeks for the reason that debacle within the desert.
An FIA inquiry was launched final week, however the governing physique’s findings may not be made public till the eve of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.
Race director Michael Masi’s place can be within the highlight after he was accused of bending the principles to permit Max Verstappen the possibility to beat Hamilton in a one-lap shootout.
And Brown, who’s in common contact with Hamilton’s Mercedes boss Toto Wolff mentioned: “I wouldn’t be shocked if Lewis stopped and I don’t assume anybody ought to take as a right that he’s coming again.
“We must always not low cost or not recognise his frustration and anger and perhaps he hasn’t taken a choice but, and perhaps what he’s doing is taking time to make that call. I don’t assume we should always rule retirement out or make gentle of it.”
Mercedes introduced on Tuesday that they are going to launch the primary automobile of F1’s revamped technical period at Silverstone on February 18, 5 days earlier than the primary winter take a look at in Barcelona.
Hamilton is predicted to be on website for the launch, alongside new team-mate and compatriot George Russell.
The 37-year-old’s take care of Mercedes, which earns him within the area of £40million-a-season, is because of expire on the finish of subsequent 12 months.
Brown continued: “I personally assume Lewis nonetheless has a burning want to race, that can finally drive his determination, and I believe he shall be again.
“Positive, he’s very offended, however I believe race-car drivers need to race and he’s on the high of his recreation.
“He’s a fighter and he’ll need to come again and try to win an eighth world championship.
“When you grasp it up, you grasp it up and I don’t assume he’s prepared to try this and let an incident put him into retirement.”
Newly elected FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem met with Wolff final Friday however particulars of the assembly haven’t been made public.
Each Purple Bull crew principal Christian Horner and rival Wolff lobbied their ideas to Masi within the concluding moments of the Abu Dhabi race. The conversations have been broadcast.
“As you possibly can think about, there have been 5 laps left and an incredible quantity of stress (on Masi),” Brown mentioned.
“And to have folks bending the ear of the referee means it’s fairly troublesome to make choices when you may have that noise.
“It’s good for tv that the microphone was open, however it created some choices that perhaps weren’t the fitting choices.”
Kaynak: briturkish.com
