Lewis Hamilton facing uncertain future after Abu Dhabi antics – could he be sacked?

While Nico Rosberg took the world championship with second place at Yas Marina on Sunday, race winner Hamilton tried to back his team-mate into the chasing pack in a bid to overhaul him in the title race.

Hamilton ignored instructions to up his pace to protect the race win for the team, and Mercedes motorsport boss Wolff said it needs to work out how to handle such a scenario.

"I'm in two minds: one half of me says undermining a structure in public means you're putting yourself before the team - that's very simple," said Wolff after the race.

"Anarchy doesn't work in any team or any company.

"The other half says it was his only chance of winning the championship at that stage and maybe you cannot demand a racing driver to comply in a situation where his instincts did not make him comply.

"It's about finding a solution to solve the problem in the future because a precedent has been set.

"Let me sleep over that and come up with a solution tomorrow."

When asked if Hamilton could face punishment for ignoring team instructions, Wolff added: "This is something I will keep internal.

"I need to form an opinion, which I haven't yet."

Well, that is anyone’s guess. Wolff’s comments – right after the race – were open ended, and open to debate.

Some publications report that Hamilton could, in fact, be sacked.

Both the Mail and the Mirror are reporting that Hamilton could face the sack for ignoring team orders.

The Mail agree with the Mirror that Hamilton's future could be in jeopardy.

The Guardian offer a more restrained look at things, indicating that the harshest sanction that Mercedes would consider imposing would be a suspension.

“Mercedes are considering disciplinary action – which could mean a fine or even suspension – against Lewis Hamilton after the three‑times world champion twice flouted instructions as his team-mate, Nico Rosberg, won his maiden Formula One world championship on Sunday.”

If the idea of Mercedes sacking Lewis Hamilton for, well, racing his car sounds far-fetched that is because it is.

Yes, he went against team orders but what did anyone expect? A procession? With the Constructors' Championship already in the bag, Hamilton quite rightly did all he could to try to win the world title. Why wouldn’t he? He is a racer. It would not be good for Mercedes or the sport were they to severely punish him for that.

Of course it would be a completely different matter if Rosberg was vying for the title with another driver from another team. However, the title was ending up in the Mercedes garage anyhow and Hamilton had the right to do all he could to try to ensure that it ended up on his side.

Furthermore, over the course of the season, there have been transgressions from both sides of the garage these last few years – Austria and Spain this year to name two – so to suspend Hamilton now would set a pretty poor precedent.

Should he be rebuked? Well, yes, he went against team orders but a stern word should cover it.