Lewis Hamilton’s F1 career hangs in the balance after meeting of F1 and FIA chiefs – as Mercedes push for race director Michael Masi’s dismissal following Abu Dhabi farce with Brit staying silent

  • Lewis Hamilton’s future was unresolved on Tuesday during a one-hour meeting
  • At the meeting was discussion of the dramatic Abu Dhabi race that will take place in December 2021. 
  • There were still divergent opinions about Michael Masi, race director.
  • Hamilton, aged 37, has remained silent on the radio ever since 2021. 











Lewis Hamilton’s Future was not resolved on Tuesday night, as competing views continued to swirl around about the fate of Michael Masi (Australian race director) who oversaw controversial 2021 decider.

On Tuesday, Muhammed Ben Shayem was elected president of the governing FIA motor racing, which is responsible for investigating the scandal. Stefano Domenicali, chief executive at Formula One, met with him to discuss the dramatic Abu Dhabi race.

While neither party was open to discussing the broad-ranging discussions held at Formula One headquarters in London, however they have been described as friendly and productive.

Lewis Hamilton¿s future was unresolved on Tuesday during a one-hour meeting at F1's HQ

Lewis Hamilton’s future was unresolved on Tuesday during a one-hour meeting at F1’s HQ

The dramatic Abu Dhabi race in December 2021 (above) was discussed during the meeting

During the meeting, it was also discussed about the dramatic Abu Dhabi race of December 2021 (above). 

Hamilton, 37 years old, has kept radio silence following the Middle East conflict. Mercedes couldn’t confirm Tuesday that Hamilton would be at the team’s launch event on February 18, and Mercedes did not respond to their request.

Some leading figures believe Masi can remain in his post with a revamped structure and an experienced support staff. It seems likely that either he or someone else will not be subject to the in-race radio bombardment by the pit wall.

Some feel Masi must go to make the sport more popular.

Last week, the FIA issued a timetable for its investigation. It stated that their findings would be presented to World Motor Sport Council in March 18. This was absurdly close to the start of the new season.

There remain conflicting views over the fate of race director Michael Masi (above)

There are still divergent views about the fate of Michael Masi, race director. (above).  

The meeting involved Muhammed Ben Sulayem (above), the new president of the FIA

The meeting involved Muhammed Ben Sulayem (above), the new president of the FIA

Hamilton lost the championship on the last lap of the last race of the season

Hamilton was eliminated from the title race on the final lap. 

It is certain that the most important issues must be solved before this happens.

Zak Brown was Hamilton’s ex-chief executive at McLaren. He said that ‘I wouldn’t be surprised if Lewis stopped. But on the whole, I believe he’ll be back. He’s a racing champion at the highest levels of his sport and I don’t think he will be ready to give up his helmet.

Hamilton, 37, has maintained radio silence since the contentious events in the Middle East last month, and on Tuesday Mercedes were unable to confirm whether their star driver would be attending the team’s car launch on February 18.

Masi’s question is still central. Some leading figures think he will be able to stay on in a revamped organization. Others feel Masi’s exit is required to save the sport’s reputation.

Zak Brown, chief executive of Hamilton’s former team McLaren, said: ‘I wouldn’t be shocked if Lewis stopped, but I think he’ll be back. He’s at the top of his game. I doubt he is ready to hang up his helmet.’

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