Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes must wait till March 18, two days earlier than the beginning of the 2022 season, to find the result of the FIA’s investigation into final 12 months’s title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen beat Hamilton to the title in controversial circumstances on Dec. 12, with FIA race director Michael Masi making use of F1’s guidelines incorrectly to drive a restart on the ultimate lap of the race.

That call helped Verstappen catch and go Hamilton to assert his first world championship.

Hamilton’s future in F1 is unsure. In accordance with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, Hamilton is “disillusioned” with F1 given the result of that occasion.

It’s understood the FIA’s findings will dictate whether or not he continues racing or retires from F1 for good.

The FIA outlined the following steps of that investigation on Thursday, which incorporates speaking to Hamilton and F1’s different 19 drivers.

A press release mentioned: “”Following the choice to the World Motor Sport Council in Paris on 15 December 2021, the FIA administration, beneath the management of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has began the detailed evaluation of the occasions of the final Formulation 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

“The FIA president launch a session with all F1 groups on varied points, together with this one

“On January 19, an merchandise on the agenda of the Sporting Advisory Committee will likely be devoted to the usage of the Security Automotive.

“The next stage will likely be a shared dialogue with all F1 drivers.

“The end result of the detailed evaluation will likely be offered to the F1 Fee in February and ultimate selections will likely be introduced on the World Motor Sport Council in Bahrain on 18 March.

“FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has requested Secretary Common Sport and recently-appointed Single-Seater Director Peter Bayer for proposals to assessment and optimise the organisation of the FIA F1 construction for the 2022 season.”

It’s understood Mercedes and Hamilton need the FIA to take vital motion, together with eradicating Masi from his position as race director. A BBC report this week mentioned Mercedes can also be pushing for the FIA to take away Nikolas Tombazis, the governing physique’s head of single-seater issues.