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Heading into the 2022 campaign, Lewis Hamilton saying he has not felt this fresh prior to a season before in his career.

For several months there were doubts over Hamilton’s place on the grid for 2022, considering his extended silence after the controversial conclusion to the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen passed Hamilton on the final lap to snatch the title from his rival.

But Hamilton is indeed a Mercedes driver still for 2022 and despite all that went down, that break allowed Hamilton to find a mental state stronger than any previous example he can remember heading into a new season.

“I feel the freshest that I ever have,” he told media personnel in Barcelona.

“Of course, there are so many different ways you can re-focus and get re-centred, and I would say this [break] was one of the best I’ve ever experienced.”

Hamilton went on to explain that he had enjoyed quality time with his family in the off-season, which continued along the theme of being the best.

“It was definitely more about being present and in the moment, and creating memories,” he explained.

“I know sometimes in life, we get so focused and stuck into certain things like work that we forget to do those things.

“So it was a great time, just refreshing with the family. It was the best period of time I’ve actually ever had with my family.”

A new challenge now awaits Hamilton in Formula 1, with the cars looking far different