Lewis Hamilton ‘totally focused’ on Max Verstappen revenge as F1 CEO backs strong response

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Lewis Hamilton will come into the new F1 season firing on all cylinders and hell-bent on revenge after losing out on the title last year, according to the sport’s top boss. Chief executive Stefano Domenicali expects the Brit to continue his racing career, and has backed him to be “totally focussed” on winning his eighth championship.

Hamilton’s future has been up in the air ever since he lost out on the title in cruel and controversial circumstances at the end of last season.

Max Verstappen made the most of a late safety car and the questionable decisions from race director Michael Masi which followed.

The Dutchman was delighted to become world champion for the first time, but Hamilton was left “disillusioned” with the sport over the way he had lost the fight.

His social media media pages were dormant for weeks and rumours persisted that he was ready to end his trophy-laden motorsport career.

With the start of the new season just six weeks away and the findings from the FIA’s investigation into last year’s finale imminent, Hamilton has now ended his social media hiatus.

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First there was a photo of himself stood in front of the Grand Canyon, alongside a simple caption: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”

And then, on his Instagram story on Monday, he shared a video showing he was out on an early-morning run with Mercedes trainer and long-time ally Angela Cullen.

F1 chief Domenicali has described the few posts the racer has shared so far as “positive”, and believes they suggest the Briton is ready to return.

Not only that, but the Italian is confident the all-time record-holder for most race wins will be competing at the front once again.

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“For what I know and for what I see, I saw the last picture of Lewis with the right positivity in his face, in his gesture and I think that is important because Lewis is an incredible asset, not only for our sport but for the world,” Domenicali told Sky Sports F1.

“And Lewis has in front of him a possibility to be – for the eighth time – a world champion, so I’m pretty sure that he’s totally focused on this objective.

“Because this year there will be so many new things, so many new variables and that will allow this championship to be so attractive.

“And going back once again to Lewis, I’m sure that he’s totally dedicated to make sure that he can really have his chance to be, for the eighth time, a world champion.”

Domenicali went on to suggest F1 bosses had been in contact with Hamilton during the time in which he was maintaining radio silence in public.

When asked if that had been the case, the Italian gave a coy answer: “The discussion or what has happened in the last couple of weeks is part of the normal things that we do, not only with Lewis.

“But there was a sort of total respect of what was his choice to be in silent mode and I think that his battery will be fully charged for the start of the season.”

Mercedes are set to reveal their new car for the upcoming season on February 18, just a few days after the FIA is due to reveal the findings of its investigation into the events at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Given his social media return and the positive tone of his messages so far, Hamilton is now expected to be a part of that reveal before taking to the track alongside new team-mate George Russell for the season.

Testing in Barcelona begins later this month, with another set of sessions at the start of March in Sakhir before the season kicks-off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.

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