Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton admits there will be an "empty" feeling when the sport resumes without fans in attendance this summer.
Hamilton says he had considered taking a year away from motorsport this season but he's now "healthy and fresh" for a bid at a seventh world title.
“There have been times in the past five years that I thought a rest would be good for body and mind," the 35-year-old revealed in a video released by his team Mercedes.
"For an athlete in their prime, it’s never a good thing to step away for a year but we have been handed a part-sabbatical, which I am enjoying.
"Lockdown has been almost a blessing on one side because it gives you even more appreciation for the things you love and do".
"And it has given me more energy and inspiration and determination to keep delivering and keep working with this great team. So I'm excited for the future."
The first ten races of this year's campaign were called off and it's hoped the season can get underway in Austria in July.
Hamilton says it'll feel empty not having supporters at the track and added, “I don’t know how exciting it’s going to be for people watching it on TV but it’ll be better than nothing.”
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