The 40-year-old had a campaign to forget following his move to Ferrari from Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton has addressed fans who noticed his continued online presence despite promising a complete digital detox following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion, who declared he would discard his phone entirely during the winter break, offered a simple explanation for his change of heart.

When a supporter pointed out on X that his posts did not resemble someone stepping away from social media, Hamilton responded that it was “all about balance.”

The 40-year-old Ferrari driver subsequently confirmed to another follower that his screen time remained “low,” adding a peace sign emoji to his reply.

Hamilton’s original pledge came in the aftermath of a gruelling conclusion to his maiden Ferrari campaign.

Speaking to journalists at the Yas Marina Circuit, the British driver expressed his desire to disconnect entirely.

“At the moment I’m only looking forward to the break, just to disconnecting, not speaking to anyone,” he said.

Lewis Hamilton has addressed fans who noticed his continued online presence despite promising a complete digital detox following the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix | GETTY

“No one will be able to get in touch with me this winter. I won’t have my phone with me, and I’m looking forward to that.

“Completely unplug from the matrix. I’ve generally always had it around. But this time, it’s going in the freaking bin.”

The comments followed a particularly difficult stretch for Hamilton, who endured three successive Q1 eliminations during the final triple header and failed to secure a top-seven result across his last five races.

Despite his emphatic declaration, Hamilton has maintained a visible presence across his social channels throughout the off-season.

The Briton shared photographs from a promotional appearance with sportswear brand Lululemon, images clearly captured on his mobile device.

His New York holiday has also been documented extensively for followers, with the seven-time champion uploading footage of winter training sessions and various social engagements in the city.

These posts prompted supporters to question whether his detox had materialised at all.

One fan directly challenged him, writing: “sir this doesn’t look like a social media detox???”

Hamilton’s measured responses suggest a more flexible approach to his original commitment than initially indicated.

Lewis Hamilton endured a nightmare first year at Ferrari | GETTY

The F1 icon’s debut campaign with the Scuderia proved far more challenging than anticipated, though team principal Fred Vasseur has maintained his faith in the partnership.

“It was difficult for Lewis,” Vasseur acknowledged at a post-season Ferrari event.

“I personally underestimated the step. It’s not that we are doing worse or better; it’s that we are just doing differently.

“It’s not just about the food or the weather; it’s that every single software is different, every single component is different.

“The people around him, they were different.”

Paddock speculation suggested the British icon might terminate his contract early and walk away from racing altogether. Hamilton, however, remains fully committed to Ferrari as the sport prepares for sweeping technical regulation changes in 2026.