Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton will decide whether to race in the 2022 season or retire dependent on the results of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix investigation.
According to BBC Sports, Hamilton is still “disillusioned” with F1 following the controversial race finish in which F1 race director Michael Masi initially refused to allow lapped cars between Hamilton and Max Verstappen to pass the safety car.
Masi later reversed his decision and only allowed the cars between Hamilton, who was leading and Verstappen, who was in second to overtake the safety car. As a result, it set up a one-lap sprint between the two drivers who are tied for first place in the F1 rankings. Verstappen, who was running on newer tires, was able to overtake Hamilton for the win and the championship.
The Formula One world has been waiting to know if Hamilton will return since the race ended. According to the BBC, Hamilton has lost faith in the FIA as a result of the race results in Abu Dhabi.
It is widely believed that the FIA is not taking the controversial finish seriously enough and that it has undermined its credibility.
In addition to the controversy surrounding the 2021 season, their decision about the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa raised questions about decision-making as well. During that race, the grid followed the safety car for two laps due to heavy rain and was called a “race.”
As a result of a FIA report on the circumstances of the final laps of the race, an inquiry into the events at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has been announced.
After the FIA presented a report regarding the sequence of events that took place following the incident on Lap 53 of the Grand Prix, the FIA President proposed to the World Motor Sport Council that a detailed analysis and clarification exercise will now be carried out with all relevant parties.”
The date for the delivery of the inquiry has not been fixed. The FIA, on the other hand, stated that it would provide the “Formula 1 Commission a clear mandate for investigation and recommendation to the Sporting Advisory Committee, with the cooperation of Formula 1 drivers, so that any identified useful input and conclusions be given before the start of the 2022 season.”
