Lewis Hamilton is likely to face four key questions when he fronts the media at Mercedes’ hotly-anticipated W13 launch today. The action-packed 2021 season has been followed by a similarly eventful offseason, which culminated in Michael Masi’s dismissal as race director on Thursday.
Not much was heard from Hamilton following his agonising world title defeat by Max Verstappen, with Masi subsequently dismissed from his role after controversially giving the Dutchman a chance to claim victory on the final lap.
The Brit’s silence was interpreted by many to suggest that retirement could be on the way, a prediction backed by Toto Wolff’s claim that Hamilton had become ‘disillusioned’ with F1.
But the seven-time world champion is set to return for the upcoming season alongside George Russell, who has stepped up from Williams to replace Valtteri Bottas.
And Hamilton’s mood may be boosted by a sense of justice after Masi was sacked as FIA race director on Thursday after a lengthy investigation into the Abu Dhabi season finale.
READ MORE: Michael Masi sacked by FIA after Hamilton controversy with 2 new race directors appointed
In the wake of so much drama, the 37-year-old is sure to face a barrage of questions when Mercedes launch their W13 F1 car today.
For one, he is likely to be asked about his prolonged silence and why he did not emerge to assure fans that he would come back to avenge his defeat in 2022.
Normally active on social media, Hamilton took a two-month absence to lick his wounds after missing out on a record-breaking eighth world title in such controversial circumstances.
During that time, the Mercedes man also unfollowed everybody on his Instagram account, including his dog, which is something the media may also be keen to seek clarification on.
F1 fans have spent weeks wondering whether Hamilton will retire, given his apparent disillusionment with the sport, but proximity to the top of the all-time world titles list.
He is therefore sure to face inquiries on whether he considered retiring over the past few weeks and when that decision could be taken as he ventures into his late-thirties.
And finally, the issue of Michael Masi’s sacking will be on everybody’s lips.
The Australian’s decision to ‘go car racing’ at Yas Marina created a ‘manipulated’ result, according to Hamilton, who was as stunned as the Mercedes garage when Verstappen took the chequered flag first.
It is hard to imagine that the Stevenage-born star will mourn Masi’s departure, with Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas set to step up on an alternating basis.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem committed to further reforms during a groundbreaking announcement on Thursday.
Major changes will be in place regarding the way team bosses communicate with the new race director after Wolff and his Red Bull counterpart, Christian Horner, appeared to pressure Masi during the closing stages of a tense 2021 season.
Unlapping procedures behind safety cars are also set to be addressed, which casts doubt on the validity of Verstappen’s title win in December, given the circumstances.
Having delighted the crowd with humorous responses to the launches of their F1 rivals, Friday marks Mercedes’ turn to show fans what they have come up with before Hamilton and Russell get the chance to unleash the W13 on-track.