MOTORSPORTS

I DON'T HOLD GRUDGES, I MOVE FORWARD - HAMILTON WON'T ALLOW CONTROVERSY TO DEFINE F1 CAREER

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Photo Credit:Getty Images ,Lars Baron

But a defiant Hamilton – back in the public spotlight two months and six days after the contentious Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – also demanded that the FIA must be held to account to ensure what happened to him is never repeated.

Hamilton, the most decorated driver in the sport's history, was on course to win a record-breaking eighth world championship before race director Michael Masi seemingly broke the rules to allow Max Verstappen the chance to take the title following a late safety car.

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ABU DHABI GRAND PRIX: FORMULA 1'S GOVERNING BODY SAYS INQUIRY IS ONGOING

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Photo Credit:AP

Instead, the F1 Commission of teams, F1 and the FIA was told that analysis into the controversial events at last year's title-deciding race was still ongoing.

The meeting was told that there may be an announcement on changes to race management later this week.

However, there was agreement for F1 to hold three 'sprint' events this season.

At the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Max Verstappen beat Lewis Hamilton to clinch his first Formula 1 title, having overtaken the Briton on the final lap.

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LEWIS HAMILTON BACK AT MERCEDES FACTORY BEFORE 2022 SEASON

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Photo Credit: Getyy Image

Hamilton's participation this year remains in some doubt following the controversial end to the 2021 campaign.

But the seven-time champion has been at the Mercedes F1 factory on Monday and Tuesday this week completing pre-season tasks required if he does race.

He also shared some videos of himself doing physical training and preparation.

Hamilton's movements in recent days show that he is preparing for the F1 season as he would any other - but that should not be interpreted as a confirmation that he will race this year.

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LEWIS HAMILTON ENDS SILENCE, POSTS ‘I'M BACK!’ ON SOCIAL MEDIA

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Photo Credit:AP

Lewis Hamilton returned to social media Saturday following a lengthy silence that dates to last season's controversial Formula 1 finale.

Hamilton had dropped out of public sight after he was denied a record eighth championship in the December finale in Abu Dhabi. He re-emerged Saturday with a post that showed the seven-time champion smiling from what appears to the Grand Canyon.

“I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!” wrote Hamilton.

Hamilton did one brief post-race interview following his Dec. 12 loss to Max Verstappen in Abu Dhabi. He skipped the mandatory news conference, skipped the gala in Paris, and his last public appearance was three days after the Abu Dhabi race when Hamilton received his knighthood at Windsor Castle.

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FIA PLANNING NEW F1 RACE-MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE AFTER ABU DHABI CONTROVERSY

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Photo Credit:AP

There is widespread acceptance across the sport that race director Michael Masi failed to follow the rules correctly during a late safety-car period in the title-deciding race.

That resulted in Red Bull's Max Verstappen passing Lewis Hamilton on the final lap to beat the Mercedes driver to the title.

Governing body the FIA has been seeking the teams' views on the matter.

The inquiry launched after Abu Dhabi is still ongoing and no concrete conclusions have yet been reached.

But s52ources have told BBC Sport that the FIA's plans are to introduce a series of safeguards that will leave the race director freer to make decisions in a calmer environment.

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