Bernie Ecclestone's phone call with Lewis Hamilton's father after Max Verstappen title win

But with new rivals and potentially big changes to the grid order courtesy of the new technical rules, Ecclestone said there is no guarantee Hamilton will be involved in a title race even if he does decide to continue.

“But Lewis could only lose in 2022,” he said. “Who knows how the new cars will reposition the field?

“With George Russell he would have an ambitious team-mate, of whom I am not as convinced as many experts, by the way.

“And then we don’t forget about Verstappen. With him, Hamilton has finally found an equal opponent after many years.

“In Hamilton, Max had a rival that everyone valued highly. Success counts twice. And I claim – Max is currently the best racing driver in the world.”