Lewis Hamilton admitted he had a difficult time digesting the controversial result of last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and was considering his future over the winter break as Mercedes unveiled their new car for the 2022 Formula One season on Friday.

In the final race of the season on Decemeber 12, the British driver was leading at the Yas Marina circuit and was on course for a record eighth championship title, before being overtaken by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in the final lap.

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Race director Michael Masi failed to implement the rules correctly during a late safety-car period, costing the Briton his championship. The FIA, after conducting an investigation, removed Masi as race director on Thursday along with announcing a slew of other changes to address the controversy.

“I never ever said I was going to stop,” Hamilton said at the launch event. “But it was a difficult time for me and I really needed to step back. Eventually I got to a point where I decided I was going to be attacking again coming into another season.”

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“It was a time where I really needed to step back, focus on being present,” he said. “I had my family all around me creating great moments.”

Team boss Toto Wolff said he was “never concerned” that Hamilton would stop racing. 

“Within the team, we knew he needed to take the time to reflect on things and particularly to understand how he would return in the right frame of mind,” Wolff said. 

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“I think what he did was absolutely right to take himself out of the microcosm of Formula One and step aside and flake out socially. And he has come back in a great mindset. He’s positive, he’s determined and he, yet again, adversity that was thrown at him will make him stronger. It’s attack mode.”

Meanwhile, Mercedes returned to their traditional silver colour after two years of black livery in support of diversity with their 2022 W13 car.

The car features tightly packed body work, with the team’s primary concern being maximising the aerodynamic performance. The car’s design has been made keeping in mind regulations that have been introduced this year to make racing more competitive. 

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The new livery on the car includes some black elements, which the team said reflected its “clear mission to become a more diverse and inclusive team”.

Mercedes said at least 25% of its recruits until 2025 will be from under-represented groups. The team recuited 38% from under-represented groups in 2021.