Lewis Hamilton contract speculation spikes as Damon Hill shares theory | F1 | Sport

In truth, much of motorsport would agree Hamilton should already hold the record for most world championships considering the controversial manner in which Verstappen won his maiden title in 2021. The FIA later conceded ‘human error’ played a substantial role in the infamous Abu Dhabi Grand Prix that year, where former race director Michael Masi’s decisions paved a path for Verstappen to overtake Hamilton at the death.

In the wake of that disappointment and the nightmarish 2022 season that followed, one could forgive Hamilton for seeing his passion for the sport somewhat subdued. A faster start to 2023 could be crucial if the Hall of Famer is to put pen to paper this year, with the next few months becoming a critical crossroads period for both him and Mercedes.