LEWIS HAMILTON’S Formula One future will not be decided until late February.
The FIA is not expected to complete its review into the controversial title-deciding Abu Dhabi GP until next month at the latest.
Hamilton was pipped to a record-breaking eighth world drivers’ title on the final lap in 2021.
Max Verstappen’s controversial win in Abu Dhabi sparked a furious reaction from Mercedes who immediately protested the outcome of the race.
However, they later withdrew their appeal for another check after the FIA promised to investigate the events surrounding the use of the safety car.
According to Sky Sports, the formal investigative side of the inquiry began on Monday.
The inquiry team wants to interview all those individuals involved in the controversy, with race director Michael Masi, stewards, drivers and team representatives all included.
This comes after stewards submitted their report the following week after the race.
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The FIA’s secretary general of motor sport, Peter Bayer, is heading up the process with new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem ‘taking a personal involvement in the review’ and dealing with it as a matter of urgency.
Seven-time champion Hamilton, who was knighted in December, could still retire before the 2022 Formula One season.
He will wait for the results of the FIA’s investigation into the Abu Dhabi GP before deciding if he wants to stay in F1.
Hamilton is ‘disillusioned’ with the sport after he was denied victory at the Yas Marina Circuit where Masi fudged the rules.
Masi did not follow the rules with regard to the safety car, resulting in a single lap showdown with Hamilton and Verstappen.
However, the Dutchman was on fresh tyres and Hamilton was a sitting duck, with the Merc man claiming the race was ‘manipulated’.
The star has not yet spoken about the incident other than a short post-race interview. He’s also refused to post on social media.
After the Abu Dhabi finale, Hamilton said ‘we will see about next year’ in a cryptic interview with Jenson Button.
Neither he nor his Mercedes team did any further interviews following the race.
