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Lewis Hamilton says he will not speak to Michael Massey – the sacked Formula 1 referee accused of costing him a record eighth world title – because “there’s nothing to say”.
Massie returned to the F1 paddock for the first time since his mishandling of the 2021 season decider in Abu Dhabi, giving Max Verstappen the chance to beat Hamilton in a final-lap shootout and win the title.
The highly controversial race cost Massey his job as F1 race director. He left the FIA last summer before moving back to Australia and being appointed chairman of the V8 Supercars Commission.
Massey’s presence at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, 44, may bring back bad memories for Hamilton.
The 38-year-old has not won a race since losing to Verstappen in Abu Dhabi and has already ruled out title contention this season because his Mercedes was unable to match the Stapan’s senior Red Bull competition.
But when asked if he planned to speak to Massey in Melbourne and seek an explanation for what happened in Abu Dhabi, Hamilton replied: “I don’t. I’m just focused on my future.
“I’m focused on trying to get back to winning. Not much to say.”
The race at Albert Park marked the 10th anniversary of Hamilton’s debut with the Mercedes team.
Hamilton won six of his seven titles with the Silver Arrows. However, he faces another challenging year after finishing fifth in the first two rounds in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.
Hamilton’s £40m-per-season contract expires at the end of the season and there is no sign of an extension.
But Hamilton added: “I’m amazed by that. [his Mercedes future]. I still feel at home.
“It’s my family and I consider myself to be with Mercedes the last few days of my life. If you look at a legend like Sir Stirling Moss, he’s been with Mercedes , until the end of the day, it was always my dream to have it someday.
“I’ve got some amazing allies on the team, some great relationships here, and as long as I can keep helping the team, pushing the team forward and really contributing, that’s why I want to stay.
“If there’s ever a time when I don’t think I can do it, it’s time for young people to come in and take my place. But I still feel young and in shape.”
Hamilton also responded to last week’s three-time world champion Nelson Piquet being ordered to pay £780,000 by a Brazilian court for making racist and homophobic remarks about the British driver.
“I want to thank the Brazilian government,” Hamilton said.
“It’s amazing what they’ve done by holding someone accountable and showing people that racism and homophobia are intolerable and unacceptable and have no place in our society.
“I like that they’ve shown they stand for something and I wish more governments would do that.”
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