F1: Lewis Hamilton ‘welcomed back’ by his team Mercedes, easing retirement fears

Mercedes have given the clearest indication yet that Lewis Hamilton will race for them in 2022 after welcoming the seven-time world champion back via social media. 

Hamilton had remained silent on his F1  future amid rumours he was ready to quit the sport following the controversial circumstance of his dramatic last lap defeat by Max Verstappen to lose the title back in December.

However, the British star has returned to social media recently, and shared a video of him running with long-time physio Angela Cullen, captioning the footage ‘back at it’ ahead of the new Formula One season that begins in March.

Lewis Hamilton has shared a video of his morning run in London with his physiotherapist

But his race team Mercedes have now provided the clearest indication yet that the 37-year-old will be back behind the cockpit this coming season.

With hopes that he can finally claim a record eighth world championship, the team showed an image of Hamilton in his race suit looking at messages of support delivered to him through the social media platform Twitter. 

Hamilton looked just moments away from winning what would have been a record breaking eighth drivers’ championship in Abu Dhabi when a safety car was brought out late in the race.

Race director Michael Masi made the controversial call to let the drivers between Hamilton and Verstappen only to unlap themselves and get the race going with one lap to go.

Hamilton lost the title to Max Verstappen after a controversial Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Verstappen passed the Brit on the final lap following a controversial safety car call

Hamilton could do little to stop Verstappen who had a clear run at the Mercedes driver and on much fresher tyres, as the Dutchman soared past to take his first drivers’ championship.

Mercedes will launch their official 2022 challenge on February 18 as they look to take back the drivers’ title which they had won in the previous seven seasons.

Hamilton looks like he has spent time in the United States since the end of last season, posting images of him at the Grand Canyon and also a shot of New York.

His run in London comes after he was given the green light by planners to build a bigger front boundary wall to boost security at his £18million London mansion.

The seven-time world champion wants to replace railings with a taller, solid barrier at the front of his six-bedroom pad with new entrance gates.

Hamilton is gearing up for the 2022 season as he prepares to win back the drivers’ title

Hamilton returned to social media on Saturday with a post saying ‘I’ve been gone and now I’m back’ with a picture at the Grand Canyon

He was given the go-ahead by officials at Kensington and Chelsea Council after no objections from neighbours.

Hamilton previously sparked a row with residents over plans for a new summerhouse which they said would block out natural daylight.

Pre-season testing takes place from February 23 to 25 in Barcelona, followed by a second test in Bahrain from March 10 to 12.

The Formula One circus will be back in Bahrain for the official season opener with the first race on March 20.