‘ I was never going to stop’: Lewis Hamilton confirms F1 return for 2022 season

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton will return for the 2022 F1 season

Lewis Hamilton will return to Formula One for the 2022 season, the seven-time world champion has confirmed.

Hamilton appeared alongside new teammate George Russell as Mercedes unveiled their 2022 car at Silverstone on Friday, ending months of uncertainty surrounding the 37-year-old’s future in the sport.

The Mercedes driver was beaten to title by rival Max Verstappen as the season ended in controversy at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December, and although Mercedes had hinted on social media in recent weeks that Hamilton would return for a 16th season in the sport, the Briton had largely remained silent.

“I never said I was going to stop,” Hamilton said. “I love doing what I do but it was obviously a difficult time for me. It was a time when I really needed to take a step back and focus on the present.

“I then decided I’d attack again. Working with Toto [Wolff] and George, it’s exciting, I can feel the energy. I think it’s going to be an exciting season.”

The news comes after the FIA confirmed that Michael Masi would be replaced as F1’s race director next season following a review into the controversial end to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the result of which was reportedly crucial to Hamilton’s future in the sport.

“It’s surreal, 10 years since coming to the factory,” Hamilton said at the launch of the W13. “The seat was like when I was here in 2013, how exciting it was, a privilege.

“The journey has been phenomenal. I have not set any goals. Every individual works to the ultimate goal of winning a world championship, raising the bar and doing something nobody else has done before.”

Team boss Wolff said Hamilton needed time following the end of the last