After losing out on a record-breaking eighth world title in controversial circumstances at last year’s Abu Dhabi G✨rand Prix, Hamilton disappeared from the public eye and was absent from social media for two months. 

The seven-time world champion recently broke his🍬 silence and returned to the spotlight as Mercedes launched its new car for the 2022 F1 season on Friday at Silverstone. 

Hamilton was on great form as he spoke openly about his break and how he came to terms with the events of the Abu Dhabi finale when he addressed th⛎e media in his first interview since the December 12 race.

“I just unplugged and switched off,” he explained. “I had my whole fami🧜ly around me, actually a rare occasion when we were all togethe💛r. 

“I just focused on being present witꩲh them. Obviously it took time to digest what had happened, which is still difficult to fully understand.

“But you know, what doesn’t kill you makes you ꧅stronger. So I put my focus into training, getting healthy, and enjoying the time off, because it goes quickly.” 

Hamilton admitted he came close to lo💟sing faith in F1 at the end of the 2021 season but insisted retirement was never an option he considered. 

“Of course at the e﷽nd of a season you think and the question is whether you’re willing to commit the time, the effort it takes to be a world champion,” he said. 

“I think a lot of people underestimate what it takes to be a world champion and there are so many mov༒ing parts. It is not just turning up and driving the car🐎. 

“So yeah, the question is, do you want to sacrifice the time? Do you believe you can continue to punꦉch at the weight you’re punching? And so that’s a normal mental process for me. 

“But of course this one was compounded by a significant factor. I think, ultimately a sport I’ve loved my who✱le life, there was a moment where I obviously lost a little bit of faith within the system. 

“But I’m generally a very determined person and I like to think to myself whilst moments like this might de🐎fine others’ careers, I refuse to let this define mi൩ne. 

“A😼nd so I focused on being the best I can be and coming back str﷽onger.”

The FIA announced a series of changes to address what happened in Abu Dhabi, including removing Michael Masi as race director after 🐼his failure to apply the rules correctly during a late Safety Car period🌼 influenced the outcome of the championship. 

Two new race directors, Eduardo Freitas and Niels Wittich, will alternate in the role for the 2022 season and will be assisted by the retur🃏ning Herbie Blash, as well as a new Virtual Race Control Room, similar to football’s VAR.

Hamilton, who has refused to re-watch the race, madeꦿ it clear that he is keen to put the matter behind him. 

“I don’t pa💫rticularly want to look backwards, I want to look forwards,” he said. 

“What I will say from yesterday, whilst we can’t change the past, and nothing will ever really be able to change the way I felt at the tiꦿme and how I feel about the situation, it’s good to see the FIA are taking steps to make improvements. 

“I think accountability is key and we have to use this moment to make sure this never happens 🌊to anyone else in this sport ever again. 

“Even everything said by the FIA, I welcome that, but we have to make sure we keep a close eye and make sure we are seeing those changes. And rules are applied fairly൩ and accurately, consistently.” 

Hami🃏lton added: “Trust obviously can be lost in the blink of an eye or the flick of a finger, but to earn trust is something that’s built over a long, long period of time. 

“This first announcement yesterday🉐 is perhaps the first step of that, but it doesn’t necessarily change everything just🦋 yet. We have to see actual action. I think it will take a big of time. 

“I’m not really focused nece🌄ssarily on that area at the moment. I’m just putting absolutely everyಌ ounce of my energy and time into making sure that I’m the best you’ve ever seen.”

Hamilton also stress🅺ed his relationship with Red Bull and new world champion Max Verstappen has not been ꩵaffected by the events of Abu Dhabi. 

“This has nothing to do with Max,” he said. “Max did everything a driver would do given the opportunity he was given. He’s a great competitor and we will go into another battle like we did l🌊ast year. 

“We will obviously grow from our races and experiences last year through the season, but I have no issues with him. I don’t hold any grudges with anybody. I never think that’s good to carry around with🐼 you, so I move forwards and don’t dwell on the past. 

“As I sai𒐪d before, I feel fresh, I feel centred, and fully ꧑focused. I don’t have anything holding over my shoulders or holding me back this year. I’m not letting that experience be one of those.”

Speaking during Mercedes’ launch, team principal Toto Wolff described Hamilton as having returnedཧ from his winter exile in “attack mode”. 

The 37-year-old acknowledged he has focused his energy into turning adversity into a weapon for the new season, much like he did when he hit an inspired run of superb form at the♒ end of 2021. 

“I think over the years I’ve learned how to be efficient with my time, recovery, trainin💙g, and building back up both your body and mind,” he explained. “I feel great, I feel fit. 

“Naturally when you have an extra year of experience that always helps. I always feel like through these sorts of experiences you can turn that emotion into strength🍨 and power, it’s what I’m doing, putting into my training, into my work with the men and women ♚here. 

“If you thought what you saw at the end o🐠f la💮st year was my best, wait until you see this year.”