Marko: No unrest to hint that Hamilton is quitting

Michelle Foster
Lewis Hamilton congratulates Max Verstappen. Abu Dhabi December 2021.

Lewis Hamilton congratulates Max Verstappen on winning the 2021 World Championship. Abu Dhabi December 2021.

Helmut Marko does not believe Lewis Hamilton is quitting F1, saying there would be more “unrest” if it was a genuine possibility.

Losing the 2021 World title to Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances, Hamilton walked away from the Abu Dhabi paddock with a “we’ll see about next year” comment.

That had pundits speculating as to whether that was a throwaway comment from a disappointed seven-time former World Champion or if he really could be thinking about quitting.

His team boss Toto Wolff later told Kronen Zeitung: “I really hope we see him again.

“It would be a disgrace for the whole of F1 if the best driver decided to retire because of outrageous decisions.”

That and Michael Masi’s unprecedented call that helped to set up Verstappen’s championship win have made most of the headlines during this off-season.

Marko reckons the Hamilton ones are just that – headlines.

According to the Red Bull motorsport advisor, there has not been any chatter such as what he would have usually heard had Mercedes been scrambling for a replacement driver.

Lewis Hamilton looking down Drivers Championship trophy and Max Verstappen. Abu Dhabi December 2021

“Normally there would be unrest if there was any truth to the resignation,” he told F1-Insider.com. “Then the wires would run hot behind the scenes for a Lewis substitute.

“But there was nothing – no calls, no phone calls, not even internal speculation.

“Neither here nor anywhere else.”

One F1 insider said he believed the Hamilton silence since that very short post-race interview is just “part of the drama”.

It does, however, beg the question of who will Mercedes turn to when Hamilton, now 37, does eventually quit Formula 1.

Marko was recently asked about the possibility of Red Bull losing their star driver, Verstappen, to Mercedes in the years to come.

The 78-year-old though does not foresee that ever happening, saying there is too much bad blood in the mix after last year’s contentious title fight.

“I do not think Max will leave us then,” he told Autorevue.

“The events at Silverstone have left too big a crack, especially with Jos.

“I think that makes him less likely to switch sides.”

Verstappen and his father Jos were furious with Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff when the Austrian celebrated Hamilton’s British Grand Prix win while the Red Bull driver was taken to hospital for precautionary checks.

 

Verstappen suffered his biggest crash ever when Hamilton clipped him through Copse corner, sending him hurtling through the gravel and into the barrier, recording an impact of 51G.

 

PlanetF1 Verdict

 

Marko not hearing of any ‘unrest’ indicating Hamilton’s quitting

Helmut Marko does not believe Lewis Hamilton will leave Formula 1.