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Sky Sports F1 says their understanding is that Lewis Hamilton will “not make a decision on his future until the outcome of the FIA’s inquiry”.
The FIA is currently in the middle of an investigation into the controversial finish to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sky Sports F1 says this investigation will play a large role in how the 2021 season shapes up.
“The FIA, F1’s governing body, has launched an inquiry into the now-notorious conclusion to 2021’s final race and last week revealed that the findings of the “detailed analysis” will be presented at the F1 Commission meeting on February 14 “after an open discussion with all F1 drivers,” wrote Sky reporter Matt Morlidge.
“The findings will then be published at the World Motor Sport Council meeting on March 18.
“Why is that first meeting important? Well, it will likely have a big say on two key names when it comes to F1.
“First, there’s Michael Masi, the F1 Race Director whose handling of the late Safety Car period was criticised and whose position remains under huge scrutiny, with many teams thought to be pushing for change.
“Even the FIA’s executive director of single-seaters Peter Bayer – who is heading up the inquiry – stated in an interview last week: ‘There is a possibility there could be a new race director’.
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“Bayer also suggested there could be a new management structure which ‘divides the various tasks’ of a race director.”
Morlidge also reiterated that the outcome of the investigation will determine whether Lewis Hamilton will race in F1 in 2022.
“How F1 has reacted to the events of Abu Dhabi and how it plans to move forward with race management will also be key when it comes to Hamilton.
“Hamilton has not spoken publicly since leaving the paddock after losing the title to Max Verstappen on December 12 but is said to be ‘disillusioned’ with F1 and Sky Sports understands he will not make a decision on his future until the outcome of the FIA’s inquiry.
“So February 14, and the days leading up to it presuming Hamilton has that ‘open discussion’ with the FIA, is particularly pertinent.
“Another date to look out for is February 18, when Mercedes will be launching their new car. The team say ‘both drivers’ will be available for media interviews on that day, although they are still refusing to confirm whether Hamilton will be one of them.
“Should Hamilton, who does have two years left on his Mercedes contract, be satisfied and appeased by that date, that could be the first time we hear from the British driver in over two months,” Morlidge concluded.
