Former Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton will retire before next season. The Briton revealed he spoke to the English pilot’s father, Anthony Hamilton, who declined to speak about his son’s future.
“A few days ago I spoke with his father (Anthony Hamilton) and I immediately understood that I didn’t want to talk about his son’s future, so we only talked about business. I believe he is retiring, he will not be the next. His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was very big, and I understand that, “he said in an interview with the Swiss daily Blick.
In the final round of the 2021 World Championships, Hamilton led virtually the entire Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, with five laps to go, Canada’s Nicholas Latifi hit the wall in a position dispute with Mick Schumacher. The safety car entered the track and the race resumed with one lap to go. With new soft tires, the Dutchman Max Verstappen overtook the Englishman and won the title. After the GP, the seven-time champion no longer granted an interview and also did not speak on social networks about his future. He has a contract with Mercedes until the end of next year. Also in Blick’s interview, Ecclestone said he didn’t have concrete information about the Englishman’s possible retirement, but he believes in his intuition.
“Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it’s the perfect time for him to fulfill his dream of becoming an entrepreneur in the fashion world,” said the former F1 boss.
Bernie Ecclestone has been a Formula 1 driver, businessman, team owner and manager. He is currently a shareholder of the Formula 2 Alpha Prema team. Between 1970 and 1980 he owned Brabham and in late 1978 he hired Brazilian Nelson Piquet, whom he was twice team champion in 1981 and 1983. As a manager, he revolutionized the category by seeing television as a means of increasing team profits and started negotiating broadcast rights.
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