Damon Hill weighs in on Lewis Hamilton F1 retirement rumours – ‘it’s too tempting’ | F1 | Sport
Damon Hill believes the prospect of an eighth world title will be “too tempting” for Lewis Hamilton as retirement rumours continue to rumble on ahead of the new season. Despite pre-season testing just a few weeks away, Hamilton is reportedly said to be awaiting the outcome of an FIA investigation, after the seven-time world champion was beaten to the title by Max Verstappen during the final race of the season under controversial circumstances.
The FIA have opened an investigation after race director Michael Masi made an on-track decision that influenced the outcome of the Drivers’ Championship under safety car conditions, with Mercedes left furious.
Hamilton is said to be waiting until the results of the report to decide if he returns to the championship in March, however, Mercedes have yet to comment on that.
The 1996 world champion however says he remembers the agony after being denied by Michael Schumacher in 1994, but said it was “not difficult at all” for him to return after.
“I wanted to win a championship,” he said, speaking on Sky Sports F1 Show alongside Johnny Herbert and Martin Brundle. “Lewis has already won seven, it’s a bit different. He might just think I’ve done all I can do.
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“But I’m sure that eighth title is just too tempting, I’m sure he’ll want to come back and have it and put all this to rest.”
Hamilton has been silent on social media since the event, only once making a public appearance to be knighted at Windsor Castle.
Reports suggested he was keeping himself in shape at his mountain home in Colorado and is expected to be at the first of two pre-season tests next month in Barcelona.
Speaking alongside Hill, Brundle felt there was no substance to the rumours.
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“But I’m sure that eighth title is just too tempting, I’m sure he’ll want to come back and have it and put all this to rest.”
Hamilton has been silent on social media since the event, only once making a public appearance to be knighted at Windsor Castle.
Reports suggested he was keeping himself in shape at his mountain home in Colorado and is expected to be at the first of two pre-season tests next month in Barcelona.
Speaking alongside Hill, Brundle felt there was no substance to the rumours.
When asked whether Hamilton and Mercedes could consider leaving F1, Brundle responded: “Absolutely not, I don’t buy any of it, to be honest.”
