Lewis Hamilton's future in F1 depends on FIA investigation

 Lewis Hamilton's future in F1 depends on FIA investigation.

The future of Lewis Hamilton is not yet defined and the British driver could continue on the tracks depending on the result of the FIA investigation into the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton's future may depend on the outcome of the FIA's investigation into the final laps of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to a BBC report.

Lewis Hamilton's future in F1 depends on FIA investigation

Last month, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said Hamilton was "disillusioned" with F1 after controversially losing the title, and rumors surfaced that the seven-time world champion was considering ending his career.

In the decisive race for the title, FIA race director Michael Masi misapplied the rules to force a restart on the last lap, leaving Hamilton heavily disadvantaged and an easy victim of Max Verstappen, who overtook his rival to win the world title.

Mercedes did not appeal the race result shortly after the FIA announced an investigation into Masi's late-race decision-making. The outcome of that is likely to be key in dictating Hamilton's future.

Hamilton has not spoken in public or expressed himself on social media since leaving the paddock on December 12.

The BBC report also highlights that Mercedes has denied making a deal with the FIA ​​for Masi and Nikolas Tombazis, the FIA's head of single-seater affairs, to be removed from their posts.

Either way, Masi's future remains unclear ahead of the new season, which begins with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20. Masi took over after the sudden death of race director Charlie Whiting ahead of the 2019 Australian Grand Prix, and it is unclear if there is an obvious replacement should the FIA ​​need to find a new director.

The FIA ​​investigation is understood to have been key to Mercedes withdrawing the appeal, and the reigning constructors' champions hope it will be a full and serious process. Speaking in the hours after Mercedes withdrew the appeal, Wolff said his team hoped to hold the FIA ​​to account for how the race that decided the title unfolded.