F1 News: Lewis Hamilton Reveals Thoughts Of Retirement After Struggle

Lewis Hamilton candidly shared his post-2021 struggles, revealing the emotional depth behind his decision to continue racing in the face of adversity.

Lewis Hamilton has now confessed that the idea of retirement had crossed his mind following the dramatic conclusion of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. This admission links back to ongoing speculations about his future in the sport after a fiercely contested title race with Max Verstappen.

Key Takeaways:

1. Post-2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Reflections: Hamilton, who had been notably absent from the public eye after the event, acknowledged that the thought of retiring was a significant consideration for him during this period of reflection and contemplation.
2. The Climactic Season Finale: The intense battle and subsequent loss to Verstappen in the final lap of the 2021 season was a source of great disappointment and controversy for Mercedes, contrasting sharply with the jubilation at Red Bull Racing.
3. Emotional Decision-Making: Hamilton emphasised the importance of not making hasty decisions based on emotions, sharing his process of taking time to consider his options before deciding to continue racing in 2022.

Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, recently shared his inner turmoil following the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix with Autosport.com. The race, which has been touted as one of the most thrilling in F1 history, saw a dramatic finish where Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton on the last lap after an interestingly timed safety car, snatching the championship title in a moment that shocked fans and teams alike.

The aftermath of this race was marked by intense emotions and controversy. Mercedes lodged protests against the race result, feeling aggrieved by the way the race concluded. However, their efforts were in vain, leaving the team and the British driver in a state of disappointment and anger.

During this period, Hamilton retreated from the public eye, leading to widespread speculation about his future in Formula 1. 

The British driver was asked whether he thought about retiring at this point:

"For sure, yeah," he answered. "There was so much going through my mind during that period in time.

"But I think one of the worst things you can do is make decisions based on emotions, because when you are emotional and in the heat of that moment, more often than not, you’re not going to make the best decisions."

Despite the turmoil and the allure of retirement, Hamilton ultimately chose to return to the track in 2022 showing a level of resilience I'm sure we all wish we had.