“It was obviously a tough time for me and it was a time when I really needed to take a step back,” said the 37-year-old, who remained silent during the winter after losing his chance to win. a record 8th world title in the very last lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on December 12.

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion, Briton Lewis Hamilton, after losing the world title on the last lap to Dutchman Max Verstappen, at the end of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, December 12, 2021 KAMRAN JEBREILI POOL /AFP/Archives

"I had my family around me, I made great memories," continued the seven-time world champion, adding that "eventually I got to a point where I decided I wanted to attack again this other season, working with Toto and George".

Still with Toto Wolff as team boss, Hamilton will have a new teammate this season: his young compatriot George Russell, 24, replacing the Finn Valtteri Bottas, who left for Alfa Romeo.

The two Britons will be driving a new W13 which marks the return of a gray livery, giving meaning to the historic nickname of Mercedes single-seaters: the "Silver Arrows".

"It's a great privilege to work with this great group of people, it feels like part of a family and there's nothing quite like it," Hamilton said.

"I've never seen him so determined," said Toto Wolff.

"Lewis is the best driver in the world and he is joined by one of the brightest and most promising of this generation, George."

Mercedes is the 8th team out of 10 to unveil its car, while the first pre-season tests will take place in Barcelona next week (February 23-25).

Bahrain will then host other tests (March 10-12) and then the first Grand Prix on March 20.

A new regulation comes into force this season, favoring ground effect, or suction, in order to allow F1 cars to overtake each other more easily.

The 2022 F1s are also equipped with larger wheels (18 inches).

An "almost seismic change in regulations", according to Wolff.

Wolff underlines "the good progress" of the FIA

On December 12 in Abu Dhabi, the 22nd and final decisive round, Hamilton had been leading the race from the start, but an accident at the back of the pack and the arrival of a safety car changed everything in the final laps.

Race director Michael Masi did not apply the rules to the letter, and restarted the race on the very last lap.

Verstappen, who had been able to change his tires unlike Hamilton, had ended up overtaking the Briton to afford his first coronation at 24 years old.

Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) wins the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix ahead of seven-time world champion, Briton Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), and thus wins his 1st world title on December 12, 2021 KAMRAN JEBREILI POOL / AFP

Mercedes had given up appealing but Toto Wolff had then called for "measures before the start of the season" after "a series of inconsistent decisions" and "useless controversies".

After conducting a "detailed analysis" of the events, the World Automobile Federation (FIA) announced Thursday the departure of Michael Masi, the Australian who focused criticism on his person.

Formula 1 race director, Australian Michael Masi, on an inspection visit to the Vietnam Grand Prix track, on December 13, 2019 in Hanoi Nhac NGUYEN AFP / Archives

Two race directors, Niels Wittich and Eduardo Freitas, who officiated in other championships, will replace him alternately.

The FIA ​​also announced the establishment of a "virtual race control room" modeled on video refereeing (VAR) in football, as well as the end of radio communications between team managers and race director. .

"There is now a much more solid structure for the race direction and (...) the new guys are going to be in place for the Barcelona test", applauded Wolff, who "thinks these are good steps".

The title was not in question for Verstappen, who well deserved it in 2021. The statistics are there to remind us: 10 wins against 8 for Hamilton, 18 podiums against 17, 10 pole positions against 5, 652 laps in head against 297. Now it's time for revenge for the Briton.

© 2022 AFP