Toto Wolff had fueled rumours of Lewis Hamilton eyeing retirement with Max Verstappen addressing those comments
Having initially filed an intention of appeal after being spurned by the FIA stewards at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2021, Mercedes decided not to proceed ahead with their appeal. Toto Wolff went onto reveal that the team wouldn’t be moving ahead with approaching the International FIA Court of Appeal ahead of the FIA presentation ceremony on Thursday.
While Wolff revealed that Mercedes had decided to concede the drivers’ championship title to Verstappen, the side was far from pleased with how the FIA had handled the Abu Dhabi GP. He also went onto hit out at race director Michael Masi as he pledged his support to Lewis Hamilton in the time to come.
Max Verstappen Comments On Toto Wolff’s Lewis Hamilton Retirement Remarks
Wolff also went onto talk about how the Briton was distraught with how things had turned out for him in the F1 2021 season finale with him revealing he was unsure if Hamilton would be back in 2022. While the Brit had only signed a new two year contract with the side earlier in 2021, Wolff revealed he had apprehensions over Hamilton’s return to add fire to the rumours of his retirement.
Verstappen was quizzed about Wolff’s comments with the Dutch going onto comment that he believed Hamilton had more than enough motivation to return next season.
“Of course, I can understand that the first few days, after a race like that, you’re not happy,” Verstappen said.
“You should also understand this is racing and these things can happen to you.
“I think he should just look back at what he has achieved, and that should give him a lot of comfort and that drive to keep on going.
“He is still trying to challenge for that eighth title, and he can do that again next year, so I don’t see any reason why to give up or stop now,” this year’s champion continued.