Jenson Button believes that Lewis Hamilton will be back on track in 2022. He is confident that the British driver, despite Abu Dhabi drama, will retain his position at Mercedes Formula 1 team.
Hamilton, seven times world champion, has opted to distance himself from any comments since Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. F1 season ended in a controversial manner, where FIA’s race director Michael Masi mishandled the events. He restarted the race at the final lap, which led Max Verstappen to F1 championship title.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes F1 boss, admitted that Hamilton is disappointed with F1 after the controversial ending. Mohammed ben Sulayem, FIA president, also admitted that the British driver felt ‘broken’ in the wake of these events.
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Button has remained a team mate to Hamilton at McLaren F1 team. He is optimistic about the return of latter. He believes that the thirst for eighth crown will bring the Hamilton back on track.
Button said: “I really do hope he’ll be racing.
“I think he will be racing and he wants to win that eighth title to be the most decorated Formula 1 driver in F1 history. And he will do that. I really do think so.”
Button opinion is shared by many other F1 figures. Zak Brown, McLaren CEO, also shared his opinion: “I think he’ll be back.
“He’s a racing driver. I think he’s at the top of his game. Sure, he’s very angry. But I think race car drivers want to race, and I think he’s a fighter.
“I think he will want to come back and try to win an eighth championship. I don’t think he’s ready to retire.
“These are my own personal opinions on that, because once you hang it [the helmet] up, you hang it up.
“I guess you could come back as some have done, but I don’t think he’s ready to hang it up. And I don’t think he’s going to let an incident put him into retirement.”
Despite controversial ending affecting F1 credibility, Button still weighs in that the sport is in better shape.
“Controversial end to the season, but I think you’ve got to look at the season as a whole,” he explained.
“F1 is in an amazing place, two fantastic drivers going at it every weekend. And I think everyone’s excited about the new season. New regulations, and it’s all about the development of these cars through the year.”
