A dark cloud hangs over Formula One as the category reaches its most highly-anticipated year in generations.

Lewis Hamilton, Formula One’s biggest figure of the past 15 years, and a chief protagonist in one of its greatest-ever seasons, may not race on.

Hamilton hasn’t been heard from since slipping out the back door in December following the epic Abu Dhabi title-decider that saw Max Verstappen controversially claim the world championship.

He no longer follows anyone on social media, and hasn’t posted anything since completing qualifying in Abu Dhabi on December 12.

Verstappen went on to deny Hamilton the title in a calamitous conclusion that the seven-time world champion described as being “manipulated” by officials.

After the race, Hamilton said “we’ll see about next year”, and disappeared into the night.

The wide belief is that Hamilton will race on next year, but the dispiriting end to 2021, and the 37-year-old’s long-running silence, have clouded his future.

Hamilton in July inked a two-year deal that takes him to the end of 2023 and will net him a reported £40 million (A$75.6m) for each season.

But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said before Christmas that Hamilton had given him no assurances that he would honour the mega deal following the events of Abu Dhabi.

There is the possibility that Hamilton is simply removing himself from the F1 world to clear his head before another gruelling campaign, which begins in Bahrain on March 18.

By the same token, we must acknowledge the disillusionment of Hamilton, whose Instagram bio says he’s still “constantly searching for my purpose”.

Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone predicted before Christmas that Hamilton would retire from F1 after he was denied an eighth world title.

“I don’t think he is coming back, I think he will not race next year,” Ecclestone told Blick.

“His disappointment in Abu Dhabi was too big and I understand him. Now, tied for seven titles with Michael Schumacher, it is the perfect time for him to fulfil his dream and be a fashion entrepreneur.”

Ecclestone added that Hamilton “could only lose” this season as wide-sweeping regulation changes, and the arrival of young gun George Russell at Mercedes, threatens his longstanding dominance.

Last week, McLaren chief Zak Brown said he “wouldn’t be shocked if Lewis stopped”.

Meanwhile, Wolff said in the days after Abu Dhabi that he hoped Hamilton would return to F1, but there were no guarantees.

“I would very much hope that Lewis continues racing because he’s the greatest driver of all time,” Wolff said.

“I think as a racer his heart will say ‘I need to continue’ because he’s at the peak of his game. But we have to overcome the pain that was caused upon him on Sunday.”

Wolff separately told Kronen Zeitung: “It would be a disgrace for the whole of F1 if the best driver decided to retire because of outrageous decisions.”

In Abu Dhabi, Hamilton was cruising to a record-breaking eighth world title before a late safety car was called, allowing Verstappen to pit for fresh tyres and re-join the queue.

In an unprecedented decision, FIA race director Michael Masi allowed only the five lapped drivers between Verstappen and Hamilton to unlap themselves, thus clearing the stage for a one-lap shootout between the title challengers.

Hamilton was effectively a sitting duck having not stopped for fresh tyres to protect his track position, while Masi has come under heavy fire for what has been described as a “freestyle” interpretation of the rules.

Whether Hamilton has made peace with the events is unclear.

Mercedes certainly hasn’t, and continues to challenge the FIA’s ruling to this day despite having its protest rejected in the immediate aftermath.

A senior source told the BBC earlier this month that in seeking justice, Mercedes had reached a quid pro quo deal with the FIA that would see Masi and head of single-seater technical matters Nikolas Tombazis sacked for 2022.

Mecedes deny the report, but Wolff said last month that the team would continue to “hold the FIA to account”.

The FIA has now begun a fresh, formal investigation into the race earlier this month and is expected to present its findings by the next World Motor Sport Council meeting on February 3.

Some believe Hamilton’s silence, and threat to quit, are power moves to apply pressure on the investigation, with the sackings of Masi and Tombazis believe to be desirable outcomes.