Formula 1: Confidence subtly growing about Lewis Hamilton?

While there is still uncertainty about Lewis Hamilton’s future in Formula 1, confidence seems to be growing that he will be back in 2022.

After becoming the 20th and final driver confirmed on the 2021 Formula 1 grid with a one-year deal last February, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension with Mercedes over the summer, locking him into his seat through the 2023 season.

But the events of the 2021 season finale, which led to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen denying Hamilton what would have been a record-breaking eighth world title, have cast doubt upon Hamilton coming back.

All in all, given Hamilton’s history of “almost” quitting Formula 1, we are not in an unfamiliar situation.

Some sources have reported that Hamilton will be fulfilling his contract and returning for the 2022 season, while others have reported that a return is unlikely.

We literally dealt with this exact scenario last offseason, albeit thanks to much different circumstances. At the end of the day, nobody really knows anything.

However, confidence appears to be growing as it pertains to a Hamilton return.

When the 2021 season ended, Hamilton opened up as the favorite to win the 2022 world championship. Here is how the odds looked for the top four contenders, courtesy of WynnBET.

NOTE: -112 means a $112 bet wins $100; +250 means a $100 bet wins $250.

• Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes: -112
• Max Verstappen, Red Bull: +250
• George Russell, Mercedes: +600
• Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: +1400

But not long after, those odds shifted.

While Hamilton remained the favorite, he was much less of a favorite than he was, all three of the drivers expected to be his main challengers saw their odds improve, indicating a stronger possibility of him retiring. Take a look.

• Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes: +130
• Max Verstappen, Red Bull: +225
• George Russell, Mercedes: +450
• Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: +1100

However, since that shift, Hamilton has become a stronger favorite, albeit not as strong of a favorite as he once was, and two of the other three drivers saw their odds get slightly longer. Take another look.

• Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes: +115
• Max Verstappen, Red Bull: +240
• George Russell, Mercedes: +450
• Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: +1200

Make your pick now on WynnBET.

Given the fact that there is not much else going on yet that would change peoples’ minds as far as who the 2022 world champion will be, it is quite clear that confidence in Hamilton not actually retiring is growing again, despite the ongoing rumors that he will step away from Formula 1.

The 2022 season is scheduled to begin at Bahrain International Circuit with the Bahrain Grand Prix on Sunday, March 20.

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