Hamilton missed out on a record-breaking eighth world title in hugely controversial circumstances after FIA race director Michael Masi did not apply the rules correctly in a late Safety Car perꦆiod. 

The timing oওf the restart left Hamilton exposed to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who pitted under the Safety Car for fresh tyres and went on to pass his rival on the last lap to clinch both the race victory and his maiden world championship. 

F1’s governing ꦅbody the FIA has subsequently launched an investigation into the events of the Abu Dhabi season finale and will announce its final decisions on the eve of the 2022 season. Reports claim the outcome of the FIA’s inquiry will be key to whether Hamilton decides to return to r🐈ace this season. 

Hamilton has not spoken publicly on the matter or posted to any o🍨f his social media accounts since the December 12 race. 

Speaking in an interview with , Wolff said Hamilton remains “disillusioned”🧸 by what happened at Yas Marina. 

"It's very deep,” Wolff replied when asked how deep the disappointment of the title-d⛦ecider run🌄s. “Lewis, I and the whole team are disillusioned.

"We love this sport because it's honest✃. The stopwatch never lies. But if we break the fundamental principle of fairness and the stopwatch is no longer relevant, then you doubt this sport in that all your work, blood, sweat and tears can be taken away from you.

"It's going toꦛ take a long time to digest. I don't think we'll ever get over that, especially Lewis as a driver. At least we can try together with the FIA to do better in the future.”

Wolff insisted Mercede𒀰s would hold the FIA to account when he spoke to media a few days after the contentious finale, and he reiterated that he expects to see “actio꧃ns and not just words” when the findings are published. 

"I expect actions and not just words,” he added. “In a sport that's supposed to be a sport, we can't freestyle like thatꦯ with the set of ru💞les.

"Before the start of the new season, there must be clarity ab☂out the rules so that every driver, team and fan knows what is allowed and what is nꩵot.

"In the end, we provide entertainment, but no decision should ♛break the rules for the sake of the 🌠show.”

And Wolff stres👍sed that if Hamilton does choose to return, the seven-time world champion will not change his approach. 

"🔜The capacity of Lewis is often wro🥂ngly questioned,” he said. 

"Even after the events in Abu Dhabi, he immediately congratula🌜ted Max. Lewis only wants one thing - fair competition on the track. We will deliver that.