F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes the sport is in a strong enough position to handle Lewis Hamilton's retirement should he leave the sport at the end of the season. The Brit's future remains up in the air after signing a one-year contract with Mercedes back in February. As a result there has been much speculation about whether he will step away from the series at the end of the 2021 campaign. While speaking on a call with Wall Street analysts, Domenicali made it clear F1 will react and move forward whatever Hamilton's decision is. "For sure Lewis Hamilton is a great asset," stated the Italian.. "He is doing an incredible job on the sporting side in terms of image. He was able to grow F1 in other areas which were not really specifically related to F1. "But F1 itself is strong, and drivers, champions, are always in a place where they one day they may retire. "I don't know what Lewis is doing, we are talking with him, but of course, now he's focused on his actual season, he is fully boosted to make sure that he'll be the only driver that is going to win eight titles in the history of F1. "But you know, F1 is solid, robust, and for sure, whatever will be the decision of Lewis, F1 will react and move forward. The good news is that if Lewis, as we all hope, will stay, he will have an incredible season in front of him with the new cars, with a new challenge. And for sure, this may be very interesting for him." Domenicali believes F1 has a crop of young drivers who are more than ready to take the mantle should Hamilton leave the sport. "If he [Hamilton] will decide a different way around, the good news is that in F1 we have so many good drivers today that are at least the challenge, the chance, will be even stronger," the Italian added. "Therefore, of course, whatever will be the decision of Lewis, we will respect it. But F1 is really solid and strong."
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