Lewis Hamilton looks at the team’s new car.
The Brit put an end to speculation about his future in Formula One today as he returned to the Mercedes headquarters for the first time this year ahead of the 2022 campaign.
For several weeks it remained unclear whether Hamilton would race against George Russell with the 37-year-old player taking a long hiatus from the public eye after losing the 2021 title to Max Verstappen.
Race director Michael Masi failed to abide by the safety car rules, which allowed Red Bull to hot-fire Verstappen to overtake his opponent with newer tires.
Hamilton has been quiet after suffering the painful defeat but broke his protests over the weekend by eventually posting a social media post.
But after ending his silence, Hamilton posted a clip of him running along the Thames
He was seen moving over the London Eye and adding another caption that read: ‘Back it with @cullen_angela.’ [via Instagram]
His first day at Mercedes base came shortly after teammate George Russell spent time settling into life with the heavyweight builder.
Meanwhile, the pre-season test will take place from February 23-25 in Barcelona, with a second test later in Bahrain from March 10-12.
Hamilton’s return to work at the factory today seems to suggest that he will be looking to surpass Michael Schumacher’s record.
The new season will begin in Bahrain on March 20
Hamilton, and some fellow competitors, have knelt in a show of solidarity against racism for the last two seasons, but the scheduled slot has been pulled by the sport’s bosses.
Formula One has promised to extend its funding of the F1 Engineering Scholarship programme for under-represented groups until 2025 and will continue to air an anti-racism message ahead of each Grand Prix. Its ‘We Race As One’ branding will also be visible.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali told Sky F1: “We have to not have to do politics. But I think now it’s a matter from gesture to action. Now the action is the focus on the diversity of our community. And this is the first step.” [via Sky Sports F1]
Hamilton is the sport’s only black driver but is understood to not be alarmed by the change. He will, anyway, be permitted to kneel at the side of his car if he wishes, as will other drivers if they see fit.
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