
The Seven-time F1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton breaks his silence first time after dramatic and controversial last season finale, which had lost him eighth world title.
The Brit insist that he never said he was going to quit Formula 1 despite the painful end to his 2021 world championship campaign.
“I never ever said I was going to stop,” he replied when asked about the fact that he had kept the sport, and his fans, on tenterhooks since that controversial evening in December.
“I love doing what I do,” he continued, “and it’s such a privilege working with this large group of people when you really feel you’re part of a family, part of a team working towards a common goal. There’s no feeling quite like it.
“It was obviously a difficult time for me,” he admitted, “and it was a time where I really needed to take a step back, focus on being present so I had my family all around me and creating great moments.
“Eventually, I got to a point where I decided I’m going to be attacking again coming into another season and working with Toto and George.”
After the meeting with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull boss Christian Horner at London, the new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem confirmed that Michael Masi removed as F1 race director following the Abu Dhabi investigation and that Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich would alternate in the role with former deputy race director Herbie Blash returning as a senior advisor to both men.
“It’s very encouraging to see action has been taken,” Mercedes boss, Wolff said of the reforms. “There’s a much more robust structure now and a support structure now for the race director,” adding that the FIA had taken the “right steps”.
“I have never seen him more determined,” added Wolff when asked about Hamilton’s response to the situation heading into the new season. “Lewis is the best driver in the world.
“He is in love with the sport and we are ready to hunt for victories and hopefully the world championship. He is in the right mindset.”