Lewis Hamilton has reportedly been given the green light by planners to beef up security at his £18million mansion. The Brit recently ended a 56-day social media hiatus. And Mercedes then virtually confirmed he’d be part of their line-up for this year’s F1 Drivers’ Championship.
Hamilton appears to be finally getting over his F1 finale defeat to Max Verstappen back in December.
The 37-year-old had led for the majority of the race in Abu Dhabi yet, in the end, a late safety car prevented him from claiming a historic eighth title.
Hamilton then went silent on social media, unfollowing everybody from his account including his own dog.
Yet, on Saturday, the seven-time world champion posted a message that read: “I’ve been gone. Now I’m back!”
Mercedes then proceeded to retweet the post and, in another message, said: “That’s right.”
Now, the Daily Mail say Hamilton is set to step up security at his £18m London mansion as he gears up for the start of the new F1 season.
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It’s said planners have given him approval, with the 37-year-old looking to replace railings with a ‘taller, solid barrier’ at the front of his six-bedroom house.
Kensington and Chelsea Council have given him the go-ahead after none of his neighbours objected to his proposals.
Hamilton had previously sparked a row with nearby residents over designs for a new summerhouse.
They objected, saying it would block out natural daylight, and the Stevenage-born racer ended up withdrawing his plans.
Since breaking his social media silence, Hamilton has also been seen in New York City with actor Ansel Engort.
Both men appeared to be drinking a coffee while they went for a stroll in the Big Apple.
Engort is perhaps best-known for his appearance in 2017’s Edgar Wright title Baby Driver, where he appeared as a getaway driver with a hearing impediment alongside the likes of Lily James, Jon Hamm and Jamie Foxx.
The 27-year-old has also appeared in Divergent and horror film Carrie, while he’s also known for singing and being a DJ.
With Hamilton now expected to race for Mercedes in 2022, it’ll be interesting to see whether he can take the title back from Verstappen.
The Brit was certainly quick enough last year, with controversy ultimately costing him dear.
Hamilton isn’t expected to officially confirm his involvement, however, until the FIA publish the results of their investigation into the events of Abu Dhabi.
His return to social media came just days after MotoGP boss Carmelo Ezpeleta criticised the Mercedes star for ‘not talking anymore’.
“For me, no,” he told Marca when quizzed if such a dramatic title showdown was a dream for any championship.
“I would not like to have a finish in MotoGP like the one in F1.
“I wish for two drivers fighting for the title in the last race, but the way the whole thing played out…
“I’m not for or against anything.
“It was a fantastic championship, fought throughout the year but in the end, there were controversies that were not good.
“I like to have a championship, if possible, disputed until the very end.
“But I don’t like that after the end they created doubt, that the runner-up [Hamilton] doesn’t talk anymore. I certainly don’t dream about that.
“Although everyone was very happy from the point of view of the media impact with the 2015 mess between Rossi and Marquez, I don’t dream about those things.”
https://www.express.co.uk/sport/f1-autosport/1561924/Lewis-Hamilton-London-mansion-F1-news-security-Formula-One
