1100 replies to this topic

[mcjohnson]

Before the start of the 2022 season;

We’ve all seen Lewis really struggle through the second half of the season in competing whilst suffering with long COVID. He’s also clearly not a fan of the style of racing that Verstappen has brought to the paddock, which has seemingly been endorsed by the FIA. Is today’s officiating the final straw for Lewis; will he walk away?

Edited by mcjohnson, 12 December 2021 - 21:11.

[SophieB]

What, ever? Or do you want to put a deadline on this.

[RPM40]

No, Lewis will be back.

 

He will feel the title was unfairly stolen from him and he'll come back with a vengeance. Lewis is not the type of character that gives up in the face of adversity. 

[Cliff]

Nah, if anything this will motivate him more...

[sheSgoTthElooK]

He will not retire. Of course not, after today. He wants revenge.

 

As for 2023... don't know...

[Jerem]

He will eventually. Not today though.

[Tstag]

No, he’ll be even more motivated now

[mclarensmps]

As a result of what happened this year? I think he will be even more on fire to get that 8th title. 

We'll see if Mercedes build him a car capable of competing, though. 

[SparkPlug86]

I'm not so sure... I think it's certainly crossed his mind today

[mcjohnson]

What, ever? Or do you want to put a deadline on this.

Lol - good point; before next season.

[timmy bolt]

He'll probably feel a lot of anger towards the FIA behind closed doors but he'll sleep on it and come back more determined.

[SophieB]

No, I don’t think so.

[Marklar]

I dont think he would do this to Mercedes, they'd be absolutely ****ed if he retires now.

I do wonder if he reconsiders the 2nd year of his contract though.

[mcjohnson]

Having seen him struggle to recover from Covid, largely due to the demands of the schedule, and now he gets what? 4 weeks off before he’ll be getting fitted for next years seat… I can’t help but think he might put himself first for a season, and take a sabbatical. Get his fitness and mojo back.

[Blazt]

Maybe.

[P123]

I think his motivation will be renewed.  If it even needed that.  Lewis isn't worn out by the battle.  And I'm sure he's seen it all before.

[NoForumForOldPole]

Lewis said "the race was being manipulated, man": (at 0.59)

 

 

If he really thinks that, maybe he will retire.

Edited by NoForumForOldPole, 12 December 2021 - 21:16.

[FirstnameLastname]

I genuinely feel like he’s raced his last race. His interview after the race where he said ‘we’ll see’ about next year, I’m not sure he’ll be motivated for another 23 race slog, especially now his pal Bottas is gone and He’ll have to also content with car 63 now as well as #33

Obviously we don’t know how the new regs will shake down either… with the political crap we’ve seen this year which has overshadowed the racing for many, I could easily see him not coming back and retiring at the top of his game.

[RedKloud]

Has he really been struggling? If anything, Max seemed to unravel a little under pressure in the last few races.

I think Lewis has another title in him if not two. 

Edited by RedKloud, 12 December 2021 - 21:16.

[Jovanotti]

Mercedes spent all their tokens on 2022 (or so I hear). Why wouldn't he stick around to see what they come up with? Especially as he seems as sharp as ever.

[Lerdes]

He will race in 2022. Nothing is more motivating than beating a guy like Verstappen and a team like RB. Let's go!

[GunnarN7]

It'd be a bit foolish to retire in his current form, in a team like that... he could regret it like Schumacher did (although Schumi was kinda forced out). He has every reason to stay, he could be back in dominating form next year for all we know.

 

I guess Russell will be a test for him as in is he showing any signs of decline? Bottas wasn't a slow driver by any means, but not complete enough. Russell might provide a better benchmark, and he will turn 37 in a few weeks.

 

But that's a story for 2022. in 2021, as far as we know, Lewis has lost fair and square, but he's still the same and could be back at the top very soon.

[NoForumForOldPole]

He can retire now, avoiding Russel, claiming the championship was stolen from him.

[Disgrace]

I'd be very surprised. Mercedes adapted best to the last regulation change, you have to assume they're among the favourites to be on top in 2022. He wanted to stay on for that eighth title when he signed on, and 2022 is as good a chance as any.

[messy]

He’s not going to end it like this.

Actually, based on his words at the end of the race today, I think he’ll be pretty confident for 2022. He seemed to allude to ‘long COVID’ affecting his performance early in the season and said for the past couple of months he’d felt great. And for the last couple of months he’s pretty much been dominating F1 again. So maybe he feels like the ‘real’ Lewis has only returned in the last couple of months? In which case, he’ll be quietly confident that he’ll be right on top of 2022.

[Nemo1965]

No. I think the rivalry with Max revitalized him. I think the last half of this year he was on his best ever. Now he has lost the championship, he will be chomping at the bit. But if in 2023 Red Bull will build such a good car that even Perez starts out qualifying him, well, then…

Btw: I doubt very much that Russel will be the reason for a retirement…

[Dalin80]

He has a 2-year contract, will be motivated to get the total to 10 WDCs, then probably bow out to spend more time on his equality work.

[garoidb]

If he retires, presumably they will try to retrieve Valterri from Alfa Romeo, who will then persuade Kimi to do a few more seasons! Just like Felipe's retirement was scuppered by Nico's unexpected departure.

[f1seb]

He's on another level.  I think he can race and, be competitive into his 40's, wining championships still.  But it all depends on him and what he wants.

[sheSgoTthElooK]

Having seen him struggle to recover from Covid, largely due to the demands of the schedule, and now he gets what? 4 weeks off before he’ll be getting fitted for next years seat… I can’t help but think he might put himself first for a season, and take a sabbatical. Get his fitness and mojo back.

 

Have you watched the race? He is in excellent shape. His start was brilliant. His pace is superb. 

 

4 weeks to cool down is good. Any job where you can take 4 weeks vacation? And "only" work on weekends? 

 

He can handle it. Others did it before. Don't worry. Emotions may not leave quickly but emotions are a strong catalyst, too..

[Arundo]

I had this discussion before the race with my brother.

 

My idea was: If he would have won I would see him retire, and if he would have lost then I would see him continue.

However losing like this I start to doubt my previous idea. 

 

It has been a very though season for all involved, adding today's events could have pushed Lewis to retirement.

I hope not as he showed this year he still has what it takes.

[CSF]

No.

[balage06]

You wish.

[chr1s]

Let me know if he does, i'll start watching again!

[mclarensmps]

Let me know if he does, i'll start watching again!

 

damn

[FullOppositeLock]

Of course he won't. He'll be back even stronger next year. He didn't become a seven time world champion by giving up after disappointments.

[Scaboo22]

I got a similar vibe from him today that I got from Nico in 2016. I think Lewis was thinking of retiring either way, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him announcing it in the following days. Of course this is just an opinion and vibe I got from him I could of course be completely wrong on this one.

[danmills]

OP LH came within about 4 corners of winning the 8th.

 

If not for the SC he would have won by what, 13 seconds?

 

A gap he was maintaining on tyres that had done some 40 odd laps.

 

Certainly not an ass whooping irrespective of the alleged reasons for not being at his best. He absolutely was at his best today. 

[Massa_f1]

No, according to Sky next years Mercedes car could be way more developed than rivals. He wont walk. 

[Requiem84]

It took about 17 races to see the vintage Lewis Hamilton return, but when he was on it, he was as fast, hungry, racey and relentless as ever.

With so much speed snd eagerness still in him, I don’t see him retiring at all. I expect him to be back and start the season with his a-game.

[Disgrace]

If he retires, presumably they will try to retrieve Valterri from Alfa Romeo, who will then persuade Kimi to do a few more seasons! Just like Felipe's retirement was scuppered by Nico's unexpected departure.

 

I know someone whose free, Oscar Piastri. 

[mclarensmps]

No, according to Sky next years Mercedes car could be way more developed than rivals. He wont walk. 

 

Sky do talk some serious bollocks though. 

[TennisUK]

I’s put Mercedes participation in more doubt than Lewis.

Edited by TennisUK, 12 December 2021 - 21:29.

[w1Y]

I hope it doesn't end like this.

[rf90]

I don't think he will retire before expected. I assume the Merc will continue to be the best car as it has been since Silverstone, why give up on that? He relishes competition, so I guess he will relish next year also.

[Scaboo22]

I know someone whose free, Oscar Piastri.

I think in the event Lewis retires we could see Russell and De Vries.

[Yamamoto]

I doubt it but all good things must end and I imagine that it's hugely difficult to get yourself up for such a long campaign against relentless rival/rivals. The added threat of a hungry, young driver alongside him. I think he'll be too much for Russell, and would make him favourite for next year's championship but it's not automatic, takes a lot of work and stress behind the scenes so one day the cost will outweigh the upside.

[garoidb]

I know someone whose free, Oscar Piastri. 

 

It would kick off a couple of weeks of intense speculation about the real replacement (not Valterri, I really hope). My prediction/wish last time - Daniel Ricciardo

[w1Y]

No, according to Sky next years Mercedes car could be way more developed than rivals. He wont walk.

Lol on what basis? As if ferrari/Alpine etc havntt been throwing everything towards next years car

[OneAndOnly]

Why should he? Because some of his fans are bittered? He’s still sharp, fit and hungry. Even if he isn’t he wouldn’t miss a chance to drive next year’s car. New era is on a horizont.