Seven-time Formula One World Champion Lewis Hamilton was seen at the Mercedes F1 factory last week as the team prepares for the upcoming F1 season.
Although his participation in this year’s championship is still in doubt following the contentious end to the 2021 season, Hamilton made his way to team HQ to complete pre-season tasks required if he does race.
He also shared some videos of himself doing physical training and preparation.
Hamilton’s recent activities indicate that he is preparing for the F1 season like he would for any other, but this should not be construed as a guarantee that he will compete this year. Before making a definitive choice on his commitment this year, the 37-year-old is awaiting the conclusion of the investigation into last season’s last race.
Hamilton lost the championship to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen after race director Michael Masi failed to follow the rules correctly in administering a late-race safety-car period.
Other than a brief message on social media last weekend in which he said, “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back,” Hamilton has remained silent since the race after the events in Abu Dhabi are said to have left Hamilton disillusioned and causing him to lose faith in the FIA.
As part of the investigation of the race’s incidents, the concerned parties are scheduled to engage with representatives from the governing body this week to discuss the events of Abu Dhabi and what lessons can be learnt from Masi’s missteps there.
Following that, FIA single-seaters chief Peter Bayer will meet with president Mohammed Ben Sulayem to review the findings of the investigation before the two deliver their suggestions to F1 president Stefano Domencali and the teams at a meeting of the F1 Commission on Monday, February 14.
Hamilton is anticipated to wait until those findings are released before deciding whether or not to return to Formula One this year.