Ogier: Let's not be afraid to say Hamilton was robbed

Reflecting on the epic finale to the season - marred by a crazy set of circumstances that ultimately denied Hamilton an eighth F1 title and Verstappen claiming his first - reigning WRC champion Ogier said on Radio Monte Carlo: "Lewis was clearly dominating the race, he was leading with nothing left to go.

"And, unfortunately for him, a few laps from the finish, the 'famous' safety car came out. Hamilton or the other Verstappen would be great champions, but the way that weekend unfolded, it was a robbery and a tough pill for Hamilton to swallow.

"He really felt he was robbed. And let's not be afraid to say it: the truth is he was robbed. Although I have a lot of respect for Max Verstappen, he had a great season, but that last weekend..." added Ogier.

A massive statement made by a legendary driver firmly entrenched in Red Bull's motorsport programme. Since his debut in 2010 for Citroen, the Frenchman has been one of the most prominent motorsport stars backed by the energy drinks manufacturer.

The Red Bull stalwart this year drives for Toyota Gazoo Racing; he finished second to Sebastien Loeb in January's Monaco Rally.

Meanwhile, since that night at Yas Marina, Hamilton has been AWOL and self-muzzled, in what could rank as the Greatest Sulk in Sport - now 50 days and counting since the switch-off.

No social media presence and no word on whether Hamilton will return to the sport, while an army build him a car for the season ahead; even Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is apparently in the dark regarding their superstar.

Or was this one loss too many? Will he disappear from F1? These questions are being asked, as replacements line themselves up for that seat, with Toto on speed dial.

However, Ogier is in the camp that believes Hamilton will be back: "I don't think Lewis going to quit. He is in an ultra-competitive environment with the best team at the moment, but it must've been very difficult for him to come to terms with it."

Indeed Hamilton has the mightiest team building him the W13 for a season of new F1 rules, he will also be joined by fellow Briton George Russell at Mercedes, he has a chance to exact revenge on Verstappen and, of course, he will bank a cool $40-million for the next two years of his services.

Hence a no show for 2022 would leave that most coveted seat to Seb Vettel or even Nyck DeVries; which, the way race drivers are wired, will never happen.

Furthermore, it would provide fodder for his detractors who would seize the opportunity to say he got scared of George and/or does not have the balls to take on Max again. As for the stupid bit, turning down $80-million to race the best car in the world, would be daft.

Despite the Great Sulk, Lewis is too smart for that and, after all, "Still I Rise" is his motto; one can't see him scratching that off his shoulders ever.

As for Ogier's, "Hamilton was robbed" comments - in the light of his long-standing and mutually lucrative association with Red Bull - are ballsy assertions. The call he will probably get, from Christian Horner or Dr Helmut Marko (or both!) will be an interesting one.