Lewis Hamilton is contracted to drive for Mercedes until the end of the 2023 season. News of him renewing with the Silver Arrows was seen as inevitable, but those reports have been on hold for quite some time now.
At 38 years old, Hamilton is running out of time to fight for and win his eighth world championship. He wants to win another title that will make him clear of Michael Schumacher as the most successful F1 driver ever. Unfortunately, Mercedes has been weak for two seasons now, and not being able to drive a consistent race-winning car is hampering Hamilton’s chances.
Hamilton’s 2008 title rival Felipe Massa feels that Hamilton is having doubts about extending his deal with Mercedes. The Brackley-based outfit’s team principal Toto Wolff insists that they haven’t thought about a future without Hamilton. Massa, however, thinks that Hamilton could choose to move elsewhere.
One of the main reasons behind Hamilton being uncomfortable at Mercedes, is George Russell’s arrival, according to Massa.
Lewis Hamilton could choose to retire from F1, hints Massa
2022 was an extremely difficult year for Hamilton. For the first time in his career, he went through an entire campaign without winning a single race, and to make things worse, his new teammate George Russell outperformed him.
In fact, Russell also managed to pull off a win at the Sao Paolo GP, marking Mercedes’ only win of the season. Massa feels that Hamilton having a teammate who can beat him for the first time in his career, is affecting his motivation severely.
“In Russell, he has for the first time found a teammate who can really cause him trouble,” the Brazilian said to Gazzetta dello Sport. “That only creates additional doubts as a Formula One driver.”
Massa’s legal battle against Hamilton’s 2008 title win
Earlier this year, ex-F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone revealed that the officials in the sport were aware of the “Crashgate” incident. This infamous incident in Singapore prevented Massa from getting the points needed that could have won him a world championship that year.
Even though Massa had a chance of winning the title after that, Hamilton’s last lap overtake on Timo Glock at the season finale stopped that from happening. Massa has nothing against Hamilton, but knowing that the officials knew about Renault cheating in Singapore but still allowing the result to stand, the Brazilian decided to take legal action to get that race result null and voided.
If the result does get cancelled, it would mean Massa would have enough points to win the title. 15 years on from the incident, Hamilton could be stripped of his title and it could be handed over the Massa.
