LEWIS HAMILTON looks set to continue racing after Mercedes confirmed he will attend their car launch next week.
There were fears that the 37-year-old could retire from Formula One after he was controversially denied a record eighth world title in the final race of 2021.
Hamilton was pipped to the championship by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The British legend was leading by ten seconds going into lap 54, only to have victory cruelly snatched away after the deployment of a safety car.
And with fresher tyres having pitted, Verstappen overtook his rival after stewards decided to allow lapped cars to overtake.
FIA director Michael Masi had initially indicated lapped cars between Hamilton and Verstappen would stay in their formation, only to change his mind, resulting in the former to claim that the race ‘has been manipulated’.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff then declared that Hamilton had been left ‘disillusioned’ with the sport – fuelling speculation his time in F1 was over.
But Hamilton announced he’s ‘back’ last week as he broke his social media silence in a huge hint he is ready for another challenge.
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And now his future has been all-but guaranteed in a news release by the Silver Arrows previewing their car launch event.
Mercedes referred to Hamilton and new driver George Russell as ‘our drivers’, who will attend the February 18 event.
Part of the statement read: “You’ll have the chance to hear from our 2022 drivers, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, and our Team Principal and CEO, Toto Wolff.”
Hamilton’s return to action will now take place on February 23 for pre-season testing in Barcelona.
Following that, there will be another short testing period in Bahrain prior to the opening race there on March 20.
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