Hamilton: What I’ve been up to since I’ve been away

Thursday, 10 February 2022 at 21:39

Lewis Hamilton was not sulking, he was not brooding after defeat to Max Verstappen at the 2021 Formula 1 title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

His social media platforms might have been quiet but seven-time World Champion was in great spirits and having a grand time during the F1 vacation months.

After emerging last week with a cheerful Instagram photo of broad grinning Hamilton declaring: "I've been gone, now I am back."

Today Hamilton went further, posting photos on Instagram of him receiving his Knighthood with Mum late last year, chilling with mates during the holidays, eating cake, very organised playing monopoly, making a canyon visit and a spot of kite surfing on the bluest of waters.

Clearly, the World Champ has had a good time during the off-season, despite suggestions to the contrary by his Mercedes boss Toto Wolff who pushed the narrative that Hamilton was aggrieved and possibly not returning to F1.

“I really hope we see him again, he’s the most important part of our sport. It would be a disgrace for the whole of F1 if the best driver decided to retire because of outrageous decisions,” said Wolff suggesting he knew nothing of Hamilton's state of being, or that the driver was chilling on holiday as pictured or Toto was milking the situation or outright lying.

At the end of the day, Hamilton's brother called it from the start, in December, when he informed viewers during a Twitch stream: “He’s just having a bit of a social media break. I don’t blame him, social media can be a very toxic place but he’s cool though. He’s fine.”

Downtime: Lewis Hamilton, 37, gave fans a glimpse at what he's been up to during his time away from social media on Thursday after returning this week for the first time this year

Good pals: The racing driver took to Instagram to share a slew of snaps and could be seen with a huge smile on his face as he stood alongside his pals

Playing games: He could also be seen in one other photo with his pals as they played a game of Monopoly around a table

Sunshine break: Lewis shared a picture of the azure sea as he took to the water for some kite surfing

Natural beauty: Meanwhile, Lewis also shared some pictures of some beautiful landscapes, including a red rocked canyon

World of wonders: Lewis shared a snap of a breathtaking canyon with his fans as part of his Instagram post

Hamilton was denied an eighth F1 title by Max Verstappen at the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mercedes felt their star driver was robbed by an officiating mess that marred what should have been the sport's greatest race.

While gracious in defeat immediately after the race, Hamilton went off the radar threafter. Going silent on his tens of millions of social media followers prompted speculation about his state of mind and his future in the sport.

The answers are clear in the photos, he might have been aggrieved with the outcome of his contest with Verstappen, it does not appear to have tainted his spirit during the two-month blackout.

Mercedes are set to launch their 2022 F1 car on 18 February, with the first test in Barcelona scheduled for 23 to 25 of this month. The season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for 20 March.