Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula One world champion, has returned to social media after a blackout that has lasted since the last race of the 2021 season in which he was pipped in the final lap to an eighth title by fierce rival Max Verstappen.
The British driver has come under intense scrutiny for maintaining distance since the chequered flag in Abu Dhabi on December 12 last year, as the sport's governing body, the FIA, continues its investigation into the decisions made that led to Verstappen overtaking Hamilton on the last lap, which gave him enough points to take the world championship away from the Brit in the dying seconds of the season.
While off-season breaks aren't something out of the ordinary for athletes, including Hamilton who is known to switch off off-season, the circumstances surrounding his future in F1 and the outcome of the FIA inquiry have led to many questioning his future in the sport.
'I've been gone. Now I'm back!' the 37-year-old simply captioned the post.
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It looks like he's been enjoying the time off and away from the spotlight standing in a relaxed poise and with a smile.
With pre-season testing set to begin in Barcelona just weeks away on February 23 and the first race weekend of the season kicking off on March 18 in Bahrain, questions have surrounded whether he would be returning to Mercedes alongside new teammate George Russell for his attempt at a record breaking eighth world championship.
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Tim Horner