Horner hopes Hamilton will return in the 2022 season

Red Bull team leader Christian Horner hopes Lewis Hamilton can return to his place in the upcoming 2022 season.

The Mercedes driver has been silent during the F1 winter break after the controversial incident in Abu Dhabi, feeling that both the race result and the championship result were manipulated. The FIA is currently investigating the controversy surrounding the closing battle, with only the snare between Verstappen and leader Hamilton being released before the last lap of safety was withdrawn.

Hamilton, who did not attend the FIA awards event, has remained silent after he said "we'll see again next year" in a brief interview after the Abu Dhabi, with doubts remaining about Hamilton's future in F1. Even Mercedes team manager Toto Wolff can't guarantee Hamilton's return.

Horner, who hopes Hamilton will come back, said: "Of course I hope Lewis will show up this year, he still maintains an incredible level of competition, last year the two drivers formed a single team. But in the end it was his choice, it was his career, it was his decision, and I'm sure he'll make the decision that's best for himself. ”

Although Abu Dhabi was a low for some, F1 ratings for that race and throughout the season reached record levels. Interest in F1 is arguably at an all-time high, with Horner arguing that Hamilton Verstappen's title battle played a key role.

Ahead of 2021, Mercedes have won seven consecutive driver and constructors' championships, with Hamilton taking six of them, which Horner believes makes F1 "less attractive".

Asked if the title battle between Hamilton and Verstappen would help expand F1's fan base, Horner replied: "Oh, of course, I think sport is competition, and when you win titles in a row, it's less attractive. So I think it's been a wonderful year, and I think it's been the best year in 30 or 40 years. ”