Suggestions that Lewis Hamilton could quit Formula 1 have been dismissed by his former team-mate Jenson Button, who believes the Briton will do his utmost to win his record eighth title next season.
Hamilton was denied the feat in 2021 in dramatic and controversial fashion as Max Verstappen overtook him on the final lap of the season finale in Abu Dhabi to win his first championship.
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Button thinks Hamilton will fight for his record title next season
Race director Michael Masi has come under fire after being accused of breaking the rules to allow a one-lap shootout and – although an FIA investigation has been launched – it will not be made public until the eve of the opening of the 2022 season in Bahrain on March 20. .
However, the Mercedes driver’s future remains uncertain after the controversial conclusion of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton has been conspicuous by his absence from social media since the desert debacle but Button, who was a teammate with fellow Briton at McLaren, doesn’t think the 37-year-old will retire yet, especially being level with Michael Schumacher on seven world championships.
“I have no idea, but I know I was the only person to interview Lewis after the last race,” Button told Good Morning Britain on Wednesday, while discussing his new documentary Radford Returns.
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Hamilton was denied an eighth title in incredible circumstances in December
“But I really hope he races, I think he will race. You know he wants to win that eighth title and be the most decorated Formula 1 driver in F1 history. He will, I really think so.
“[It was] a controversial end to the season but I really think you have to look at the season as a whole.
“Formula 1 is in an amazing place, two fantastic drivers are racing there every weekend and I think everyone is excited about the new season.
“New regulations and it’s all about the development of these cars throughout the year.”
Mercedes announced earlier in January that it would launch the first car of F1’s revamped technical era at Silverstone on February 18, five days before the first winter test in Barcelona.
Hamilton is expected to be on hand for the launch, alongside new teammate and compatriot George Russell.
The 37-year-old’s contract with Mercedes, which pays him around £40m a season, is due to expire at the end of next year.
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