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Lewis Hamilton says he “obviously lost a little bit of faith within the system” and adds it will take time to rebuild trust in the FIA.
After Mercedes’ 2022 car launch Lewis Hamilton faced the media and answered questions regarding the controversial ending of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and his subsequent media silence.
“I just unplugged; I switched off,” the Briton said.
“I think I deserve to be able to switch off at the end of the year anyway, but I had my family around me, my whole family around me.
“It was actually a rare occasion where we’re absolutely all together and [I] just focused on being present with them.
“Obviously, [it] took time to digest what had happened which, I think, [it is] still difficult to fully understand everything. But what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
“I always feel like through these sort of experiences you can turn that emotions into strength and into power, and that’s what I’m doing.
“I’m putting that into my training. I’m putting that into the work I have with the men and women in this team.
“If you think that what you saw at the end of last year was my best, wait until you see this year.”
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Asked if he considered retiring from Formula 1 after what happened in Abu Dhabi, the Briton joked:
“I’ve considered retiring so many times! Honestly, I haven’t. Of course at the end of seasons you think and the question is whether you’re willing to commit the time and the effort that it takes to be a world champion.
“I think a lot of people underestimate what it takes to be a world champion. And there are so many moving parts. It’s not just turning up and driving the car.
“The question is, do you want to sacrifice the time? Do you believe that you can continue to punch at the weight that you’re punching? So that’s a normal kind of mental process for me.
“But of course, this one was compounded by a significant factor. And I think ultimately, with a sport that I’ve loved my whole life, there was a moment where I kind of obviously lost a little bit of faith within the system.
“But I’m generally a very determined person. And I like to think to myself like whilst moments like this might define careers, I refuse to let this define mine.
“And so I’m focused on being the best I can be and coming back stronger.”
Lewis was then asked to give his thoughts on the changes the FIA announced yesterday, including the removal of Michael Masi from his position as race director.
“I put faith and trust alongside each other. And so trust can obviously be lost in the blink of an eye or the flick of a finger.
“But to earn trust is something that is built over a long period of time. So, whilst I didn’t see that coming, this first announcement at the launch yesterday is perhaps a first step of that.
“But that doesn’t necessarily change everything just yet. We have to see actual action and I think it will take a bit of time. But I’m not really focused necessarily on that area at the moment.
“I’m just putting absolutely every ounce of my energy and time into making sure that I’m the best you’ve ever seen.”
Lewis added that it’s important that the change promised by the FIA is actually implemented and enforced.
“Whilst we can’t change the past, and nothing will ever really be able to change the way and how I felt at the time, and how I feel about the situation, it is good to see that the FIA are taking steps to make improvements.
“I think accountability is key. And we have to use this moment to make sure that this never happens to anybody else in the sport ever again.
“Even everything that’s been said by the FIA, we welcome that. But we have to make sure that we keep a close eye on it and make sure that that we actually are seeing those changes, and rules are applied fairly and accurately and consistently,” Hamilton concluded.
