First showdown between the bosses for the future of Hamilton

Berlin (dpa) – The superstar continues to be silent, but there will be a summit between Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and the new world association boss. As the British newspaper “Dail Mail” reports, Lewis Hamilton’s Formula 1 future could have a decisive impact on Friday.

Then Wolff and Mohammed Ben Sulayem want to exchange ideas about what happened at the season finale in Abu Dhabi, which cost Hamilton the eighth driver’s title. “That will never be forgotten. Because what happened to Lewis was simply wrong,” said Wolff in an interview on his 50th birthday on Wednesday of the Austrian “Kronen-Zeitung”.

Criticism of race director Michael Masi

According to the report of the “Daily Mail”, the Mercedes bosses are calling for the removal of Michael Masi, who, as race director, was responsible for the controversial decisions in the final phase of the showdown in the United Arab Emirates. There is much speculation about whether and, if so, to which conditions Hamilton will continue. It was only in the summer of last year that he extended his contract with the German works team for another two years until the end of 2023.

“I very much hope that we will see him again. He is the most important part of our sport,” emphasized Wolff and became a little clearer with a look at the 103-time Grand Prix winner: “It would be indictment for the whole formula 1, when the best driver decides to quit because of outrageous decisions. “

Hamilton with social media break

Wolff had described himself and Hamilton as disaffected in the days after the final. How hard the defeat is still taking Hamilton under the remarkable circumstances, probably only knows himself. The Briton, who turned 37 on January 7, has been idling on social media for a month. No postings, no statements, just nothing, while his new teammate George Russell proudly presented himself to his fans via Instagram a few days ago with a broad grin in the “new uniform” from Mercedes.

As the BBC and the broadcaster Sky Sport from Great Britain recently reported, Hamilton should make its decision dependent on the outcome of the investigation by the World Automobile Federation. This should have started on Monday and should be completed by February 3rd at the latest.

The investigation is about the phase that in the last few minutes of the last race decided a rousing World Championship in a highly controversial way. During the safety car phase, race director Masi ensured that Hamilton’s rival Max Verstappen had the chance of a final overtaking duel on the last lap. The Dutchman skilfully used this at Red Bull and won the World Cup at the end of a thrilling season.