LEWIS HAMILTON returns to work this weekend at the Belgium GP after being “transformed” by his trip through Africa.
Hamilton, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, travelled across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
The 37-year-old explored with a bunch of mates, including Daniel Forrest, known as Spinz, who documented Hamilton’s travels on social media.
And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
Hamilton, who has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, said the break was “some of the best days of my entire life”.
He added on social media: “I’m not the same man I was before this trip, all the beauty, love, and peacefulness I experienced has me feeling fully transformed.
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“No amount of photos could capture how I’m feeling now and what I’m trying to say. Just know, where words fall short, emotions run deep.
“I connected with my roots and my history and I feel my ancestors with me now stronger than I ever have before.”
Hamilton’s trip saw him take a hot air balloon ride, visit the Pokot people in Kenya and take in an animal sanctuary, as he crammed a lot into F1’s three-week break.
However, he will be back on duty this weekend at the Belgium GP where he is going in search of victory after finishing second last out in the Hungarian GP.
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World champion Max Verstappen’s victory at the Hungaroring saw him extend his lead over Charles Lecelerc to 80 points while Hamilton is a whopping 112 points behind the Dutchman.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff will hope that Hamilton’s expedition through Africa will not have rekindled thoughts about retirement.
Hamilton has spoken about quitting and has given it some serious thought, but during this season, there appears to have been a u-turn.
Wolff first mentioned that he was speaking to Hamilton about extending his stay in the team beyond 2023, when his current deal is set to expire.
The Austrian said at the French GP – Hamilton’s 300th race in F1 – that their partnership could go “about five to 10 years”, so “we can go to 400 [races]”.
And Hamilton too recently said in a recent Vanity Fair interview that he’d “be lying if I said that I hadn’t thought about extending”.
Mercedes and Wolff will be praying that still remains the case.
Meanwhile, Belgium GP bosses will show off the circuit’s £80million overhaul, including resurfacing, which promises quicker lap times.
However, as yet, there is no contract in place with the historic circuit meaning this is the last Belgium GP as it stands.
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Last year, the race turned into a farce as heavy rain forced the start to be delayed multiple times.
The race lasted for only one lap – the shortest in F1 history with fans left upset and feeling short-changed.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
