Former world champion Lewis Hamilton cut short his vacation on Saturday to return to the United Kingdom after discovering his auntie has been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

"Will you please say a prayer for my auntie, she's dying from cancer & just been told she has weeks to live. I fly back to UK to see her," the McLaren driver wrote on Twitter.

"It's the toughest time for the family as it would be for any family. I can't wait to go see her, want to spend every second i can with her."

Hamilton, who has been on vacation in the United States, is fourth in this year's Formula One championship but went into the summer break buoyed by victory in Hungary.

The title races resumes in Belgium next weekend.