Formula 1: Do betting odds show Lewis Hamilton retiring?

Lewis Hamilton is far less of a favorite to win the 2022 Formula 1 world championship than he was in the immediate aftermath of the 2021 season finale.

One of the major storylines of the Formula 1 offseason thus far has been the silence of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton following his last-lap championship defeat to Max Verstappen in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

More than five weeks removed from the heartbreaking ending, the 37-year-old Briton has yet to address the public, save for his post-race interview with Sky Sports in the immediate aftermath of the lap 58 chaos.

His most recent social media posts are still the pictures he shared after qualifying on the front row for the race at Yas Marina Circuit the day before the Decider in the Desert.

There have been rumors that Hamilton will step away from Formula 1 before the 2022 season starts because of how the 2021 season ended. Nothing has been confirmed either way, and preseason testing is now closer than last month’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

However, the betting odds seem to show far less confidence in a Hamilton return than there was initially.

After the 2021 season ended, the Mercedes driver was the clear betting 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 pays $212; +250 means a $100 bet pays $350.

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

But over the course of the last month or so, those odds have shifted against Hamilton and in favor of Verstappen, George Russell and Charles Leclerc, including several others listed below Leclerc.

In fact, Hamilton and Verstappen could very well find themselves swapped before long. Take a look.

• Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes: +155
• Max Verstappen, Red Bull: +200
• George Russell, Mercedes: +475
• Charles Leclerc, Ferrari: +1000
• Carlos Sainz Jr., Ferrari: +1500

Make your pick now on WynnBET.

Considering the fact that nothing has changed as far as on-track competition between these drivers is concerned throughout the first several weeks of the offseason, this is a clear indication that a Hamilton retirement is something that many are truly considering.

With that being said, he is still the favorite to win the title, albeit not as strong as he once was, and there are far more indications that he will indeed return for the 2022 season then he won’t. Officially, he is under contract with the Silver Arrows through the 2023 season after signing a two-year extension last summer.

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