Formula 1: A year without Lewis Hamilton offseason drama?

During the last few Formula 1 offseasons, there has been uncertainty surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s future. Will the same be true after 2022?

After each of the last two Formula 1 seasons, seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has found himself facing an uncertain future, and these instances aren’t the only instances of him apparently being ready to walk away from the sport in recent years.

In 2016, he threatened to quit following his opening lap collision with Mercedes teammate and eventual world champion Nico Rosberg in the Spanish Grand Prix. Then in 2018, he threatened to walk away over a proposed schedule expansion to 25.

Following the 2020 season, he did not have a contract to return for 2021, and it was reported by multiple outlets that his contract demands for 2021 were too excessive for Mercedes. In fact, once the new year hit, he was technically no longer a member of the team.

For much of the offseason, Hamilton’s Mercedes seat was the only seat without a confirmed driver for 2021. But despite rumors of George Russell moving from Williams to replace him, a new deal was eventually announced the month before the season began.

Then during the 2021 season and in the heat of the world championship battle with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, Hamilton signed a multi-year deal to remain with the Silver Arrows through 2023.

That didn’t prevent further uncertainty, however. Following the dramatic events of the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, specifically those of the last lap which led to Verstappen earning his first world championship instead of Hamilton securing what would have a record-breaking eighth, there were many who believed that he would leave Formula 1.

While he was always under contract for 2022, his return was once again not officially confirmed until the month before the season began.

That brings us up to now. Are we in for another offseason of uncertainty for Hamilton?

The 37-year-old Briton does have a contract for 2023, unlike post-2020 for 2021, and there was certainly nothing which took place this past season that resembles the bizarre sequence of events in last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

But it’s not out of the question, despite recent claims that he is opening to signing another multi-year extension with Mercedes.

Formula 1 is set for a 24-race season in 2023, one race shy of 25, and while Hamilton is under contract, the same could be said last offseason and yet there was still uncertainty. He hasn’t signed anything new since his most recent extension from summer 2021.

The 2022 season brought ended an eight-year streak of Mercedes constructor championships, and it was Hamilton’s first winless season in 16 years in the sport, meaning he failed to break Michael Schumacher’s record. He finished in a career-worst sixth place in the standings.

Throughout the year, Hamilton remained adamant that he and the team were going to keep pushing to find answers to make the W13 more competitive. While that ultimately didn’t pay off in 2022, aside from a late win for teammate George Russell, there have never been any questions as to his commitment level.

There is little reason to doubt that he will be back in 2023, as the team look to erase the memory of a disappointing 2022 season all while learning from their mistakes during it and ascending back to a level at which Hamilton can be capable of winning that elusive eighth world title.

But what if that progress can’t be made? What if there is no indication that the 2023 season or 2024 season will be much different? Will he decide that it is time to step away for somebody younger who can further lead the team into the future?