LEWIS HAMILTON showed off his ripped abs ahead of the new Formula One season.

The seven-time world champion was back in the gym as he trains to try and challenge reigning champ Max Verstappen.

3Lewis Hamilton was back in the gym ahead of the new season

3The 38-year-old’s fans refer to his topless pics as “thirst traps”Credit: Instagram / @lewishamilton

3But the seven-time champ has his focus squarely on clinching his eighth titleCredit: Alamy

Hamilton’s most recent snap – shared to his Instagram story – saw him posing topless in the gym, and fans online were convinced they know what is coming next.

A strange “curse” has befallen F1 whenever Hamilton posts what some fans refer to as a “thirst trap”.

The curse in question refers to the departure drivers or staff surrounding the F1 grid.

Last season, fellow drivers Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo and Nicholas Latifi all saw their F1 seats taken away within days of Hamilton posting a gym pic.

Former Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto also saw his removal as team prinicipal coincide with one of Hamilton’s topless pics.

Taking to Twitter, one fan said: “Who’s getting fired this time.”

A second said: “Someone’s getting fired.”

While a third commented: “Lewis Hamilton posted a thirst trap again, someone’s losing their job today i’m afraid.”

However, he is looking ahead to the new season with Mercedes set to reveal their W14 challenger for 2023 season on February 15.

Hamilton spent his off-season travelling the Antarctic alongside A-list celebrities.

It comes after he produced his worst-ever season in 2022 as he failed to win a single race.

Meanwhile, Verstappen has won the last two F1 titles.

The first being at the controversial expense of Hamilton’s would-be record eighth title, while strolling to the second in record-breaking dominance last year.