After weeks of speculation regarding Lewis Hamilton‘s future in Formula 1, Mercedes have seemingly put to bed any suggestions that the seven-time World Champion will be retiring from the sport.
Hamilton was reportedly deeply unhappy with the way the 2021 Formula 1 season ended in Abu Dhabi. The Mercedes driver was comfortably in control of the race as he closed in on an eighth Drivers’ Championship, but questionable implementation of the Safety Car rules by Race Director Michael Masi, Max Verstappen passed Hamilton on the last lap of the race to take the Drivers’ Title.
“Welcome back Lewis Hamilton,” Mercedes wrote on their social media account, which realistically ends any suggestion that the Brit will be retiring ahead of the 2022 F1 season.
Hamilton himself had taken an extended break from social media, and other than an appearance at Windsor Castle to receive his knighthood, on December 15, the Mercedes man has stayed out of the public eye.
That was until Saturday, when Hamilton posted a simple message on social media: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
Hamilton will be joined at Mercedes by George Russell, who replaces Valtteri Bottas, for the 2022 Formula 1 season, and the new car will be launched on February 18.
