© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
At Mercedes’ 2022 car launch Lewis Hamilton said he’s ready to ‘attack’ the new season, while Toto Wolff reaffirmed Lewis was in “attack mode”.
At Mercedes’ 2022 car launch Lewis Hamilton publicly spoke for the first time since the controversial ending of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The Briton was asked about the rumours that there was a possibility he would not return to Formula 1 in 2022.
“I never, ever said that I was going to stop,” the Briton said.
“I love doing what I do, and it is such a privilege working with this large group of people.
“You really feel like you’re part of a team and part of a family, working towards that common goal. There’s no feeling quite like it.
“But yeah…it was obviously a difficult time for me, and it was a time where I really needed to take a step back and focus on being present. I had my family all around me, and creating great moments.
“And I eventually got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking coming into another season, and working with Toto and George [Russell].
“It’s exciting seeing George come in and bringing his energy. I can already feel that throughout the team.
“I think it’s going to be an exciting season,” Hamilton concluded.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff confirmed that Lewis was indeed in “attack mode”.
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“I think what he did was absolutely right, to take himself out of the microcosmos of Formula 1 and step aside – and blackout socially,” the Austrian said.
“He has come back in a great mindset. He is positive, he is determined. And yet again, adversity that was thrown at him will make him stronger. And as he said, it’s attack mode.”
Wolff adds Lewis’ attitude now is similar to when he got disqualified from qualifying in Brazil and proceeded to demolish the competition.
“Certainly the disqualification in Brazil created the situation for him where the determination on doing the talking on the track was enormous.
“And from then on, there was no looking back. Lewis destroyed the competition in every single race going forward.
“Also on the Sunday in Abu Dhabi, I think that adversity has always made him stronger, more resilient and determined. And this is the attitude I feel in him right now and also the mindset that I see in the team.”
In the end Toto said the team never thought Lewis would not return.
“I was never concerned that he was leaving. Within the team, we knew that he needed to take the time to reflect on things and particularly to understand how he would come back in the best possible frame of mind.
“So there was, on our side, no worries about him not coming back,” concluded Mercedes’ team boss.
