Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton retirement would be "extremely damaging" for F1

Sam Hall Wednesday 2 February 2022 13:45

Hamilton retirement would be "extremely damaging" for F1

Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok has claimed it would be "very damaging" for the sport should Lewis Hamilton retire as a result of the events of last year's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton has maintained his silence since the chequered flag fell on the 2021 season following a controversial last-lap shootout between himself and Max Verstappen for the world title.

During this time, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been able only to state his "hope" that Hamilton will return to the paddock after conceding the Yas Marina race had left both he and the seven-time champion "disillusioned" with F1.

“Ultimately only he knows what's going on in his head," Chandhok told Express Sport.

“In my opinion, I think it would be very, very damaging for the sport if he walked away.

“Essentially he would be walking away because he didn't think the sport was fair or credibly run. That would be extremely damaging for the reputation of the sport and the FIA.

“For the sake of the sport, I hope he doesn’t walk away at this point."

Although it is likely that F1 would recover and continue, Chandhok is less confident of the ability of the sport's governing body, the FIA, to bounce back from such a situation.

“Honestly, if that did happen, it’s quite hard to see how the FIA would recover from that very quickly, to be honest," added Chandhok.

“It's the sport's biggest star basically questioning their integrity. So I hope that doesn't happen.”

Latest News

Las Vegas Grand Prix Practice

F1 Results Today: Hamilton ROARS back as slippery track causes chaos

1 hour ago

GPFans Recap

Ricciardo tipped for NEW F1 role as star makes COMEBACK at Las Vegas Grand Prix - GPFans Recap

Yesterday 23:57

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix: The music artists set to star at STUNNING event

Yesterday 22:57

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

Yesterday 21:33

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:47

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

Yesterday 20:02

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY

Hamilton retirement would be "extremely damaging" for F1

Hamilton retirement would be "extremely damaging" for F1