Williams team boss Jost Capito thinks there could be an upside if Lewis Hamilton chooses not to return to Formula 1 in 2022. Hamilton has maintained complete radio silence since the controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, and speculation remains over whether he might opt to quit the sport ahead of the new season. Weighing in on the debate over Hamilton's future, Capito admits that he isn't too concerned about which path the Briton decides to take. "I don't care about it – I don't really care whether he drives or not," Capito told German media outlet RTL/ntv . "[It's] totally irrelevant, really totally irrelevant." However, Capito believes that a potential benefit of Hamilton not coming back would be that it could free up a space on the grid for a younger driver. "They always say there are not enough places for young drivers and then I think, if someone has been World Champion seven times, he has actually done enough and could make room for a youngster, why not?" he explained.
Will Hamilton return to race alongside Russell?
Despite this, Capito thinks it would be a shame for Hamilton's new Mercedes teammate, George Russell, if the veteran driver does not return. "For me, [Hamilton should continue, otherwise] it would be bad for George," Capito said. "Because then he wouldn't be able to beat him and I think he would like to beat him. I wouldn't begrudge George that." Russell joins the Silver Arrows following three seasons with Williams, and Capito believes that his former driver "absolutely" has the potential to be a World Champion. "[He is] no longer a rough diamond, but already a partially polished diamond," Capito argued, though went on to state that Russell still has some areas for improvement. "[He is] a bit away from the potential he can have, [so] he can certainly develop and improve again at Mercedes." Mercedes have confirmed that they will launch their 2022 car, the W13, on 18 February .
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