‘Trouble sleeping’ and ‘acupuncture’ - Hamilton’s injury update

Hamilton suffered back pain from severe porpoising and bottoming out in his Mercedes W13, describing the race in Baku as the “most painful” he had ever experienced.

The seven-time F1 champion was seen visibly in discomfort when he attempted to get out of his car at the end of the 51-lap race.

Shortly afterwards, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff cast doubt over whether Hamilton could race at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

Hamilton has been quick to distance any suggestions that he could miss F1’s return to Canada - a track he’s enjoyed great success at.

“Yesterday was tough and had some trouble sleeping but have woken up feeling positive today,” Hamilton wrote on his Instagram account.

“Back is a little sore and bruised but nothing serious thankfully. I have had acupuncture and physio with Ang [Angela Cullen] and am on the way to my team to work with them on improving.

“We have to keep fighting. No time like the present to pull together and we will. I’ll be there this weekend, wouldn’t miss it for the world. Wishing everybody an amazing day and week.”

Hamilton’s incredible record in Canada

Hamilton has the joint-most wins at the Canadian Grand Prix, level with fellow seven-time champion, Michael Schumacher.

He claimed a memorable victory in his rookie year back in 2007 for McLaren.

Hamilton tasted the top step on two more occasions with McLaren, winning in 2010 and 2012.

The British driver dominated the 2015 and 2016 races with Mercedes, while 2017 was a memorable weekend as he equalled Ayrton Senna’s all-time pole position tally. 

Hamilton won Canada’s most recent grand prix in 2019, albeit in controversial circumstances.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel won the race on track but was handed a harsh five-second time penalty after he was deemed to have rejoined the track in an unsafe manner.

F1 didn’t race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in either 2020 or 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.