F1. “I am back” says Hamilton 

Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has spoken for the first time since he lost out on title number eight to Max Verstappen in the dramatic finale of the 2021 season in Abu Dhabi.

The British posted on his social media channels, which have been completely inactive since that day, to ease fans' concerns.

"I've been gone, now I'm back!" he wrote on both Twitter and Instagram, his first public post of any kind for two months.

He included a photo of himself at the Grand Canyon in the United States and appears to be in fine condition as testing for the 2022 season begins later this month at Barcelona.

He will drive for Mercedes once again this coming season, but he will have a new teammate in fellow Brit George Russell after Valtteri Bottas moved onto Alfa Romeo on a multi-year deal.

Mercedes have confirmed that they will reveal Hamilton and Russell's 2022 challenger on February 13, with the season beginning in Bahrain on March 20.

Meanwhile, F1 world champion Max Verstappen got back in his car but this time in unfamiliar territory on the ice as he took to an ice track with former European Ice Racing champion Franky Zorn.

Verstappen raced around the the GP Ice Race circuit at Zell am See Airport in Austria accompanied by Zorn.

"I am not that good at ice skating compared to other people in Holland but I'll do my best. It's going to be the first time for me on the ice with a Formula One car so I'm looking forward to it."

While the 2021 champion signs of the close control that won him the championship his counterpart Zorn popped wheelies and slung his motorcycle to extreme angles around the curves.

Verstappen will shortly turn his attention back to defending his F1 crown with pre-season testing in Barcelona set to get underway from February 23rd.