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Lewis Hamilton has admitted to struggling "mentally and emotionally" in a candid social media post.

F1 icon Hamilton, 37, took to Instagram to reach out to his 27.4 million followers, encouraging those battling with their mental health to 'keep fighting'. And the seven-time world champion also referred to his own quest to remain positive amid his troublesome start to the campaign.

The Mercedes driver has recently ended a self imposed social media exile following the controversial finish to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December. The race was tainted by a dubious safety car procedure which ultimately cost Hamilton a record-breaking eighth world title, as Max Verstappen overtook him on the final lap at the Yas Marina.

After rumours he would retire amid feeling 'disillusioned' over what transpired, Hamilton confirmed in February he would be racing for the Silver Arrows again in 2022. However, the new campaign has gone anything but smoothly for the British driver, despite a third placed finish in the season opener in Bahrain.

Last weekend in Saudi Arabia, he exited Q1 for the first time since 2017, and the first time on pace alone since his McLaren days in 2009. Starting 15th on the grid, he rose to sixth