Lewis Hamilton has warned rival Max Verstappen that he plans to go on the offensive this season as he looks to wrest back the Formula 1 title from the Dutchman.
The rivals had a series of on-track clashes last season, with Hamilton and his Mercedes team accusing Verstappen of overstepping the mark.
And speaking in Bahrain ahead of the opening practice session of the grand prix weekend, Hamilton warned: “I will be a more aggressive driver this year.”
The Briton missed out on the title to Verstappen in controversial circumstances having gone into the season finale in Abu Dhabi level on points before a late call by since deposed race director Michael Masi paved the way for Verstappen to pass, win the race and, with it, the title.
The seven-time world champion called for the immediate publication of the FIA’s report into the events of Abu Dhabi. More than three months after the race and just two days ahead of the start of the 2022 season, no details have been made public over a supposedly lengthy and in-depth investigation.
The FIA World Motorsport Council is due to meet in Bahrain tomorrow to discuss its investigation, with the hope from the majority of drivers on the grid, Hamilton included, being that the report will be published in some form over the course of the weekend.
Hamilton met with FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem last night to discuss the findings, with a drivers’ briefing set to be held later tonight.
Calling for the publication of the report in its entirety, Hamilton said: “I think it’s important as a sport we are transparent. I’m looking forward to seeing it… and people to know the sport is transparent and working from what happened in the past.”
Despite the delay in the investigation’s findings being published, the 37-year-old insists he is ready to put it in the past before taking to the track for the season opener.
“I don’t hold any grudges and don’t have any baggage from the end of the season,” he said. “I think it is important to let go. I know I can’t change the past.
“I’ll work as hard as I can with the FIA and teams to make sure things are done better going forwards. The most important thing is clarity… and consistency. That’s all we ask for as drivers.”
Hamilton’s new Mercedes team-mate George Russell, meanwhile, insisted the full publication was the only answer after “the events in Abu Dhabi were not to the standards all of us expect”.
Verstappen, meanwhile, said: “I don’t think we need a full report. Every year, it’s good to discuss about what happened the year before and what you can do better. If things can be written down in an easier way to understand it better the wording, then for sure.”
