Mercedes "welcome back" Hamilton

Mercedes has welcomed back Lewis Hamilton after a near two-month absence from the F1 team.

Following the events of last-year's season-ending race in Abu Dhabi where Hamilton missed out on a seventh title in controversial circumstances, the 37-year-old switched off all social media on which he is normally so prolific.

In being described as "disillusioned" by team principal Toto Wolff who conceded he did not know if Hamilton would return to action this year, speculation about his future was rife.

Hamilton finally ended his 55-day silence on Saturday with a short social media post that simply read 'I've been gone. Now I'm back!', with the Grand Canyon in the background.

With Hamilton now again in the UK, he posted a short video on Tuesday morning of him out on a run with trainer Angela Cullen in London, Mercedes has now followed up with a post of its own to highlight their delight he has returned.

Wearing his race suit and clutching his helmet, Hamilton is pictured smiling in a front of a wall of social media messages from fans, all expressing their happiness he has returned.

One in the top-right corner can clearly be seen from tennis legend Serena Williams that reads "I love you brother, so much".

As for Mercedes message, that is again simple as it states 'Welcome back, @lewishamilton', accompanied with an emoji of hands clasped in prayer.

Welcome back, @LewisHamilton 🙏 pic.twitter.com/NVB8hNwCul

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) February 7, 2022