Former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone has made the bold prediction that Lewis Hamilton will retire from the competition.
It comes after the Brit missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title in a contentious season finale at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen passed Hamilton, who had been the runaway race leader, on the final lap to secure his first-ever F1 championship.
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Verstappen was only in the position to do so after benefiting from race director Michael Masi’s decision to allow lapped cars between the two drivers to overtake a safety car.
It left the two facing a final-lap sprint and Verstappen had the clear advantage after pitting shortly before to give himself fresher tyres.
Mercedes dropped its appeal of the result but Ecclestone believes the disappointment will see Hamilton opt against racing again.
“I don’t think he is coming back, I think he will not race next year,” Ecclestone told Blick.
“His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too big and I understand him. Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it is the perfect time for him to fulfil his dream and be a fashion entrepreneur.”
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Even if Hamilton does return to the track, the former F1 chief questioned whether he would enjoy the same domination over the rest of the field.
“Lewis could only lose in 2022,” Ecclestone added.
“Who knows how the new cars will reposition the field? With George Russell he would have an ambitious team-mate, of whom I am not as convinced as many experts, by the way.
“And then we don’t forget about Verstappen. With him, Hamilton has finally found an equal opponent after many years.”
It comes after Mercedes boss Toto Wolff revealed Hamilton would never overcome the pain of losing out on the title in such controversial circumstances.
“Lewis and I are disillusioned at the moment,” Wolff said earlier in the month.
“It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday. I don’t think we will ever come over it, that’s not possible — and certainly not him [Hamilton] as a driver.
“I would very much hope the two of us and the rest of the team can work through the events.
“But he will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday.”
Wolff though did not believe it would see Hamilton retire from racing, revealing that the desire to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record remains a goal of the Brit’s.
“I can understand that the first few days after a race like that you’re not happy but you should also understand this is racing,” Wolff said.
“I think he should just look back at what he has achieved already.
“That should give him a lot of comfort and should also be that drive to just keep on going because he is still trying to challenge for that eighth title and for sure he can do that again next year.
“So I don’t see any reason why to give up or stop now.”