Mercedes all but confirm Lewis Hamilton WILL drive for them in the 2022 season with ‘Year 16’ post

Mercedes have given the clearest indication that Lewis Hamilton will drive for them in the 2022 season in a post on social media. 

There had been suggestions the seven-time world champion could look to retire from the sport after he controversially lost the 2021 championship to Max Verstappen at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

After a winter of radio silence, Hamilton returned to social media earlier this month and has posted videos of himself running through the streets of London appearing to show he is preparing for the new season.

They posted a message on social media with Hamilton along with the caption ‘Year 16’

Mercedes have now all but confirmed that he will be driving in search of what would be a record eighth championship with a photo posted on their social media platforms.

It shows Hamilton standing in darkness with the Union Jack behind him with the caption ‘Year 16’.

Hamilton is entering his 16th season of Formula One racing, making his debut back in 2007 where he then drove for McLaren.

There had been speculation over Hamilton’s future after he lost the 2021 title to Max Verstappen

It wasn’t the only tease made by Mercedes on Wednesday as they posted a video of his new team-mate George Russell getting his seat fitted.

The video shows Hamilton giving Russell and his engineers fist bumps, while also talking to the former Williams driver while looking at the Mercedes’ steering wheel.

Russell replaces Valtteri Bottas who was part of five straight constructors’ championship winning seasons while driving alongside Hamilton from 2017 to 2021.

Hamilton should he take to the grid at the season opening Bahrain Grand Prix, will be fired up following the disappointment of Abu Dhabi.

Hamilton has also greeted new team-mate George Russell in a video posted by Mercedes

The 37-year-old looked set to clinch his eighth title before a controversial call by race director Michael Masi allowed Verstappen to pass him on the final lap to seal the championship.

Behind the safety car, Masi allowed only the five cars between Hamilton and Verstappen to unlap themselves, putting the Dutchman directly behind the Mercedes driver while he was on fresher tyres.

The FIA have conducted an investigation into the events of Abu Dhabi and are expected to announce an action plan as well as structural changes in the coming days.