Seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton has ruled out speaking to one of the guests at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, former Formula 1 race director Michael Masi.
It was Masi, of course, who was responsible for Hamilton losing the 2021 Drivers’ Championship, following his ‘human error’ at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Masi broke multiple rules of the sport when attempting to end a Safety Car period, something which effectively awarded the race win and the title to Max Verstappen.
On that day, Hamilton immediately called the race “manipulated” and even considered retiring from F1, given that he felt cheated out of the title.
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This weekend is interestingly the first time that Masi has been in the paddock since Abu Dhabi 2021, following the FIA’s investigation into his error.
Despite perhaps having some things he’d like to say, Hamilton has ruled out crossing paths with the former race director.
“I don’t. I am just focused on my future. I am focused on trying to get back to winning. There is nothing to say,” Hamilton told reporters in Australia, when asked if he has anything to say to Masi.
For the time being, Hamilton is remaining focused on his job at hand, getting Mercedes back to the front of the grid.
The Germans have struggled since 2021 and have only claimed one victory since their most recent Constructors’ Championship, but not thanks to Hamilton.
Hamilton has found the going tough in the new aerodynamic era of the sport which has led to much speculation that he could leave the Silver Arrows this year, with his contract set to expire in nine months’ time.
The 103-time race winner has ruled out going anywhere else, though, after revealing that he can see himself staying at Mercedes “until my last days”.
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“It is my family, and I see myself being with Mercedes until my last days,” Hamilton said.
“If you look at the legends like Sir Stirling Moss, who was with Mercedes until the end of days, that has been the dream for me, to one day have that.
“I have got some amazing allies at the team, some great relationships here, and as long as I can continue to help the team, drive the team forward and really contribute then that is why I want to stay. If there is ever a point where I feel like I am not able to do that, it is time for a youngster to come in and take my seat. But I still feel pretty young and in pretty decent shape.”