Former Formula One chief executive Bernie Ecclestone believes Lewis Hamilton will retire from the competition following the disappointment of losing the world title to Max Verstappen.
The seven-time champion led most of the race in a dramatic season finale at Abu Dhabi, before Verstappen passed him on the last lap to claim his first F1 championship.
Verstappen's victory was extremely controversial due to FIA race director Michael Masi's interpretation of rules regarding lapped cars under a safety car.
The decision left Hamilton and Verstappen to duel it out around the Yas Marina track for one final lap, with the Dutch driver ultimately overtaking Hamilton to win the race and championship.
Mercedes made two appeals following the race before opting to drop their case.
Speaking to Switzerland-based outlet Blick, Ecclestone is predicting that Hamilton will call it quits ahead of next season.
“I don't think he is coming back, I think he will not race next year,” Ecclestone said.
“His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too big and I understand him.
"Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it is the perfect time for him to fulfill his dream and be a fashion entrepreneur.”
The former F1 boss also believes that the Brit may struggle to claim his eighth world championship if he continues in the sport next year.
"Lewis could only lose in 2022," he said.
"Who knows how the new cars will reposition the field?
"With George Russell, he would have an ambitious team-mate, of whom I am not as convinced as many experts, by the way.
"And then we don't forget about Verstappen.
"With him, Hamilton has finally found an equal opponent after many years."
Hamilton also raised eyebrows last week when he suddenly unfollowed every account on his Instagram page.
Social media activity is rarely is an accurate indicator of a sportsperson's intentions, but it raises interesting questions regardless.
Mercedes team principal and CEO Toto Wolff has also spoken following the Abu Dhabi controversy and admitted the result will never be easy for Hamilton to accept.
“Lewis and I are disillusioned at the moment,” Wolff said.
“It’s going to take a long time for us to digest what has happened on Sunday.
"I don’t think we will ever come over it, that’s not possible — and certainly not him [Hamilton] as a driver.
“I would very much hope the two of us and the rest of the team can work through the events.
“But he will never overcome the pain and the distress that was caused on Sunday.”
He does, however, expect Mercedes' star driver to continue racing on his quest for a record title haul.
“I can understand that the first few days after a race like that you’re not happy but you should also understand this is racing,” Wolff said.
“I think he should just look back at what he has achieved already.
“That should give him a lot of comfort and should also be that drive to just keep on going because he is still trying to challenge for that eighth title and for sure he can do that again next year.
“So I don’t see any reason why to give up or stop now.”
