F1 shouldn't rule out prospect of ‘angry’ Hamilton retiring

Hamilton has stayed silent since the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year, with the FIA launching an investigation into how it dealt with the events under the Safety Car.

Earlier this month, the BBC and Sky Sports reported that Hamilton has yet to decide his future with the decision potentially coming down to the FIA’s inquiry.

Brown believes Hamilton will make a return to F1 as he goes in search of a record-breaking eighth world title in 2022.

“I would be shocked if he stopped so I don’t think anyone should take for granted he’s coming back, which my personal opinion is he’s going to,” Brown said.

“But I don’t think we should discount or not recognise his frustration, his anger. Maybe he hasn’t made a decision and maybe what he’s doing is taking time to make that decision to make sure, because once that decision is made, that decision’s made.

“So I don’t think we should rule it out, or make light of it. I just personally think he still has a burning desire to race and that will ultimately drive his decision. But that’s just one man’s opinion.”

Brown doesn’t think the events of Abu Dhabi will have an impact on Hamilton’s driving as “he’s at the top of his game”.

“He’s a racing driver. He’s at the top of his game,” he added. “Sure, he’s very angry but racecar drivers want to race. I think he’s a fighter and he’ll want to come back and win an eighth championship. I don’t think he’s ready to retire.

“I don’t think he’s ready to hang it up. And I don’t think he’s going to let an incident put him into retirement.”