Lewis Hamilton has caused a stir by unfollowing everyone on Instagram after painfully missing out on the F1 world title earlier this month. The Brit has largely stayed silent since Max Verstappen pipped him to the crown in controversial fashion, and talk has surfaced surrounding his possible retirement ahead of the 2022 season.
Hamilton looked to be cruising towards an eighth world title in Abu Dhabi until Nicholas Latifi’s crash brought out the safety car.
With just one lap to go, FIA race director Michael Masi ordered the lapped drivers between Hamilton and Verstappen through, and the Dutchman capitalised on his fresh tyres to pull off a crucial overtake.
At 36 years old, Hamilton was understandably hurt by the contentious defeat, with the clock ticking as he aims to go clear of Michael Schumacher at the top of the all-time title winner’s list.
The Mercedes man was gracious in defeat after the chequered flag, shaking Verstappen’s hand before his podium celebrations and congratulating him in his post-race interview.
But aside from receiving a knighthood, little has been heard of him since.
Fans were quick to point out on Thursday that Hamilton had unfollowed absolutely everyone on his Instagram account, including his dog Roscoe and his brother Anthony.
The unusual development could come as yet another sign that the Stevenage-born driver has taken the defeat hard.
After all, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff recently claimed that Hamilton may never get over the nature of what unfolded at Yas Marina, even calling into question his return for the 2022 season.
That will come as a blow to fans for various reasons, with Hamilton and Verstappen partaking in a blockbuster battle for the crown in 2021.
And next season promises more drama, with much-changed cars and a new Mercedes team-mate in George Russell sure to change the F1 landscape.
But as for now, Hamilton is yet to properly emerge after Verstappen’s last-gasp triumph, and even his brother recently claimed that the defeated star is not talking to anyone following the season finale.
“I don’t actually know [whether he is okay] because I haven’t spoken to him,” he told fans during a live stream.
“I tried to speak to him but I’m just gonna leave him for a bit. We all know what it’s like when things are a bit difficult.
“I think he’s just in a place where he doesn’t want to talk to anyone, including me which is fine.
“I know what it’s like. I’ve been in the situation before. Not necessarily fighting for world titles, I bloody wish!
“But when you have a bad day, the last thing you want to do is talk about it.”
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