Could this be a retirement tip? Following his disappointing season-ending loss to Max Verstappen (which cost him an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 championship title), Lewis Hamilton, a dejected driver insists “we’ll look about next year”.

  • Lewis Hamilton was dignified when Max Verstappen defeated him for the F1 title 
  • It was very controversial that the Dutchman took home the Abu Dhabi season-ending race. 
  • Mercedes questioned the use of the safety procedure for the lap before the race. 
  • Hamilton replied later with a mysterious response, which could have been a retirement hint.











After dropping a hint about his possible retirement after a controversy-plagued end to the championship campaign, Lewis Hamilton is now dejected and has made Formula 1 talk.

After a strange stewards decision at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Hamilton lost his record-breaking eighth title. This was despite Hamilton racing with better tires and Max Verstappen finishing the last lap neck-and–neck. 

Hamilton lost the race to Hamilton, but the Dutchman won the race. Hamilton also took home his first ever championship. 

Lewis Hamilton led for most of the race in Abu Dhabi, but was then overtaken on the very last lap - since, his comments have been seen as a possible hint at retirement from the sport

Lewis Hamilton led the Abu Dhabi race for the most part, until he was caught on lap seven. Since then, his comments were seen as a hint that Hamilton might be considering retiring from motorsport.

Hamilton was careful with his words after the race. He would say that he’d’see’ next year, but only so far. 

Hamilton stated that he thought the team did an outstanding job in this race and spoke to Sky Sports immediately following the race.

“My whole team has worked hard throughout the year. It’s been the hardest season.”

It was all we had and it never ended. That’s what is most important.

“We’ll be looking at next year.”

Verstappen's fresher tyres allowed him to dive down beyond Hamilton and then win the title

Verstappen was able to win the title because of Verstappen’s newer tires. He was able to jump down past Hamilton.

Hamilton seemed to be easing his path to the title. However, Nicholas Latifi’s collision threw off the race, which was before the late FIA decision that lapped cars were out of the equation. Verstappen made his move on Hamilton on the last lap. 

After the race, F1 legend Damon Hill accused Red Bull of ‘playing rough’ with Michael Masi after Christian Horner ‘persuaded’ the race director to gain an advantage, allowing Verstappen to controversially pip Hamilton to the drivers’ title at the death.

Masi originally stated that lapped cars wouldn’t be permitted to unlap but Red Bull chief Horner convinced Masi to change his mind. Masi allowed Hamilton and Verstappen five lapped cars to undo themselves. This eliminated the Brit’s 13 second advantage.

Hill said to Sky Sports: “I think these new rules are,”

“I believe it’s an entirely new way of racing directing. I don’t think Mercedes has made the right decisions.

“Red Bull was rough but they persuaded race director to allow cars to race and that it should be a strong formula. They won.

Christian Horner (left) and Max Verstappen (right) celebrate on the podium after the Dutchman won his first ever world championship

Former F1 champion Damon Hill accused Red Bull of 'playing rough' with 'new rules'

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (left picture, left and right) celebrated  on the podium after the Dutchman won his first ever world championship; but Damon Hill (right) believes Red Bull ‘played rough’ with ‘new rules’ to win the drivers’ title

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