Lewis Hamilton says he misses racing every day and not being able to start his quest for a seventh Formula One world title has left "a big void" in his life.

There has been no F1 so far this year due to the coronavirus pandemic and the French Grand Prix, scheduled for late June, was the latest race to be called off on Monday.

F1 chief executive Chase Carey is confident the season can begin with the Austrian Grand Prix in July and hopes up to 18 races will be possible.

Hamilton, who will match Michael Schumacher's record tally of titles if he is crowned champion again, is itching to get back behind the wheel of his Mercedes.

And the Briton hopes people will have a different outlook on life when the COVID-19 crisis is over.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I miss racing everyday. This is the first time since I was 8 that I haven’t started a season. When you live and breath something you love, when it’s gone there’s definitely a big void. But there’s always positives to take from these times. Right now, we all have time in the world to reflect on life, our decisions, our goals, the people we have around us, our careers. Today, we see clearer skies all over the world, less animals being slaughtered for our pleasure simply because our demands are much lower and everyone staying in. Let’s not come back the same as we went into this tough time, let’s come out of it with better knowledge of our world, changing our personal choices and habits. Let’s come out of this as a new us, a new reinvigorated you, fitter, healthier and more focused but above all, kinder, more generous and gracious and caring for our world and the people in it. I hope we all do. #wecandothis #together #oneworld #wewinandwelosetogether

A post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton) on

He posted on Instagram: "I miss racing every day. This is the first time since I was 8 that I haven't started a season.

"When you live and breath something you love, when it's gone there's definitely a big void. But there's always positives to take from these times.

"Right now, we all have time in the world to reflect on life, our decisions, our goals, the people we have around us, our careers.

"Today, we see clearer skies all over the world, less animals being slaughtered for our pleasure simply because our demands are much lower and everyone staying in.

"Let's not come back the same as we went into this tough time, let's come out of it with better knowledge of our world, changing our personal choices and habits.

"Let's come out of this as a new us, a new reinvigorated you, fitter, healthier and more focused but above all, kinder, more generous and gracious and caring for our world and the people in it. I hope we all do"