Hamilton declares 'I'm back' amid retirement speculation

Lewis Hamilton seemed to indicate he'll participate in the forthcoming 2022 Formula 1 season after speculation that the seven-time champion would retire.

On Saturday, Hamilton posted a photo of himself on Twitter and Instagram with the caption, "I've been gone. Now I'm back."

The British driver was said to be mulling retirement after becoming disenchanted with the sport following a controversial 2021 finale.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen overtook Hamilton on fresh tires on the final lap of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix to officially claim the drivers' championship. The race had a chance to end under safety car - which would've given Hamilton his record-breaking eighth title - but FIA race director Michael Masi made the controversial decision to pull the safety car in for the last lap and wave the green flag. That was done despite the fact that not all drivers were permitted to unlap themselves in time following Nicholas Latifi's crash on Lap 53.

These are Hamilton's first social media posts since Dec. 12, the date of the Abu Dhabi GP.

Mercedes lodged a formal protest of the race and the FIA launched an investigation. The findings haven't been officially decided but are expected in mid-March.

Newly appointed FIA secretary-general Peter Boyer has stated that the sport's governing body will undergo restructuring and that Masi may be reassigned after having "too much" to deal with, according to Matt Beer of The Race.

Hamilton is under contract with Mercedes-AMG Petronas Racing through 2023 and is expected to be among the championship contenders. If he does indeed decide to race, the recently knighted Hamilton will have a new teammate in fellow Brit George Russell. Hamilton spent the previous five seasons with Valtteri Bottas as his teammate, but the Finn has departed Mercedes for Alfa Romeo.