Hamilton has been quiet for a week: Will he quit F1 after all?

Barely out of his Mercedes car, barely able to realize how he lost a seemingly certain world title at the last moment, Lewis Hamilton gave an interview to Jenson Button. The Brit congratulated Max Verstappen, thanked the crowd and went to the podium ceremony. Since then, the always open Hamilton seems to have disappeared from the grid. Where is Lewis?

Major blow

Immediately after the race in Abu Dhabi, the Mercedes team said that Hamilton - as well as team boss Toto Wolff - would not give interviews until after the protest was settled. But even after the protest was rejected by the stewards, the team remained silent. Wolff did speak to the international media. He said he hoped Hamilton wouldn't say goodbye to Formula 1 after losing the World Championship title.

Hamilton in his turn was knighted in London on Tuesday. Again: not a word to the media. Hamilton did not attend the FIA gala either, a failure to fulfil his obligation which may result in a fine. He did attend the Mercedes factory where the world title for the constructors was celebrated. The Mercedes team showed a smiling Hamilton on social media.

Not on social media

Since last Saturday Hamilton hasn't posted anything anymore. Normally the Briton sends messages into the world several times a day via his Instagram account, but he hasn't heard from anyone in over a week. He did check his account though: Hamilton stopped following the official F1 account. By the way, he follows a lot of fellow drivers, but not Max Verstappen.

All these remarkable signs are fueling rumours that Hamilton might quit the sport. Although two former teammates in Marca Hamilton does not think so. "I expect him to be back on the grid next year fighting to regain that world championship that was somehow taken away from him," Rosberg said. Jenson Button, too, thinks Hamilton is not running away. Although he adds, "Anything is possible."