ABU DHABI:

Seven-times world champion plans to throw his phone in the bin as he does not want to speak to anyone when he heads into Formula One’s winter break after a nightmare debut season with Ferrari.

The Briton joined the Italian team this season from Mercedes in a highly-anticipated move that paired the sport’s most successful driver with its most successful team.

Expectations from the partnership were high, especially after Ferrari finished second in the constructors’ standings last year, fuelling hopes that Hamilton could challenge for an unprecedented eighth title.

But the optimism soured and Hamilton has endured one of his worst seasons ever, with the Briton failing to stand on the podium all year for the first time in his career.

He ended the year with three consecutive firs

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