Lewis Hamilton lastly opened up on the anguish he has hid from the world since he slipped unnoticed out of a bulb-lit Abu Dhabi paddock two months in the past after controversially shedding out on the championship to Max Verstappen.
The Briton revealed how he misplaced religion in Formulation One on account of the debacle however was decided to not let the occasions of that desert night outline him. He additionally confirmed that he by no means significantly thought of retiring from the game.
'It was clearly a tough time for me,' admitted the seven-time world champion, who dominated the ultimate race of final season till the late, fateful second at which the protection automotive was withdrawn sooner than the principles permitted.
The choice allowed Purple Bull's Verstappen to pounce on more energizing tyres on lap 58 of 58, and Hamilton's probabilities of an unprecedented eighth world title went like a mugging within the night time.
'I simply unplugged, switched off,' he continued, on his coping mechanism within the low season that noticed him withdraw himself from social media for a very long time.
'I had my entire household round me, a uncommon event once we have been all collectively. It took time to digest what occurred and it's nonetheless tough to totally perceive every thing, however what does not kill you makes you stronger.
'I put my focus into coaching, getting wholesome and having fun with the day off.
'On the finish of a season, the query is whether or not you're prepared to commit the effort and time that it takes to be a world champion. Lots of people underestimate what that requires.
'Do you wish to sacrifice the time? And punch on the weight you could? That could be a regular psychological course of for me however this one was compounded by a big issue. And within the sport I've cherished my entire life there was a second once I misplaced somewhat bit of religion.
'However I'm a decided individual and I prefer to assume that whereas moments like this may outline different folks's careers, I refuse to let this outline mine, so I've targeted on being the most effective I could be and coming again stronger.
'In case you assume what you noticed on the finish of final yr was my finest, wait till you see this yr.'
At 37, clearly none of Hamilton's deep-boned preventing spirit has abandoned him, and his phrases of intention ring out as an ominous warning to the remainder of the sector.
No person can flip adversity into motivation as clearly and vividly as a cornered Lewis. He emphasised that in Brazil final November, when he took pole, was slung to the again of the grid, earlier than pulling off essentially the most outstanding triumph since Lazarus folded up his mattress.
A lot of Hamilton's hopes rely, in fact, on the efficiency of the good-looking Mercedes he and new team-mate George Russell unveiled yesterday at Silverstone, the place the wind roared throughout the outdated, open airfield.
Gone is the outdated black livery of current classic - a nod to Hamilton's championing of racial equality - and a return to the well-known silver.
With this coming season's all-new vehicles, meant to generate nearer racing, nothing could be taken without any consideration earlier than testing begins in Barcelona subsequent week. Even that may solely present a skeletal thought of what lies in retailer.
The second take a look at takes place in Bahrain earlier than the 23-round marketing campaign opens for actual within the little Gulf kingdom on March 18.
Nevertheless, Hamilton already has trigger for cheer after the dismissal on Thursday of now former race director Michael Masi, the Australian whose flustered name introduced within the security automotive when solely the 5 vehicles between Hamilton and Verstappen - however not these additional again - had unlapped themselves.
'I did not watch the race again,' mentioned Hamilton, who appeared relaxed all through his media duties on Friday. 'Nevertheless it replayed in my thoughts quite a bit within the weeks afterwards. Now, I do not wish to go backwards and see it - I wish to go forwards.
'We can not change the previous, and nothing will ever change the way it felt on the time. We now have to make use of this second to ensure this by no means occurs to anyone else on this sport ever once more.
'I welcome every thing that has been mentioned by the FIA (who've made a number of adjustments to in-race decision-making) however we now have to ensure we see these adjustments and guidelines utilized pretty and constantly. Accountability is essential.'
Increasing on his relationship with the FIA, he added: 'Belief could be misplaced in a blink of an eye fixed or a flick of a finger. To earn belief is constructed over an extended time period.
'The reforms are step one of that, however it does not change every thing simply but. We have to see motion and it'll take time however I'm not targeted on that space in the meanwhile.
'I'm simply placing each ounce of my power and time into ensuring I'm the most effective you may have ever seen.'
Whereas taking a break from social media, Hamilton collected his knighthood from Prince Charles at Windsor Citadel final month, taking alongside his mom Carmen. He additionally frolicked recharging in America.
He has not spoken to his vanquisher Verstappen since briefly and magnanimously congratulating him within the rapid aftermath of the Abu Dhabi race.
Does he harbour ill-feeling in the direction of the Dutchman, who, placing the last-lap benefit apart, can hardly be mentioned to be unworthy of the crown, primarily based on his superior variety of poles set, laps led and races received?
'Max did every thing a driver would do given the chance he was handed,' mentioned Hamilton. 'He is a superb competitor and we are going to go into one other battle and develop from our experiences. No points with him, and I do not maintain grudges with anyone.
'I transfer ahead. I do not dwell on the previous. I really feel contemporary, centred. I haven't got something holding me again. I'm not letting that have in Abu Dhabi do this to me.'