Hamilton hits back at Red Bull retirement dig: ‘I’ll decide…’

Hamilton has endured a difficult Formula 1 2022 season so far - he struggled to a 13th-place finished last weekend at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.

He was lapped by his rival Max Verstappen, who eventually won the race, and who he lost the 2021 title to in controversial circumstances in Abu Dhabi last year.

• How modest Russell is holding the early edge over Hamilton
• 'Maybe Hamilton should have stopped last year', says Marko 
• Wolff apologises to Hamilton for "undriveable" Mercedes car
• Leclerc’s Imola F1 mistake was ‘daft and unnecessary’ - Edwards

Red Bull consultant Marko teased that Hamilton, after being lapped by Verstappen, might wish he had ended his career already.

“Working on my masterpiece, I’ll be the one to decide when it’s finished,” Hamilton has posted on social media.

Marko was asked what Hamilton might be thinking after being lapped by Verstappen, and he replied to Sky Sports: “I mean he was lapped by us… so, maybe he should have stopped last year, he is thinking, maybe.”

Verstappen’s response to lapping Hamilton at Imola was: “I mean, they've been slow all year so it's not really a surprise or I feel happy lapping Lewis compared to anyone else, but it is what it is.”

Toto Wolff apologises for ‘undriveable’ F1 W13 Mercedes

“Hi Lewis, sorry for what you have needed to drive today,” Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said over the team radio to Hamilton. 

“I know this is undriveable and not what we deserve to score as a result.

“We move from there, but this was a terrible race."

A despondent Hamilton replied: “Yeah, no worries, Toto. Just keep on working hard.”

Wolff responded: “Yeah, we will come out of this.”

Wolff said to Sky Sports: “We saw, with George, how the car can drive in free air. But we are not good enough for a world champion. Not worthy. 

“We need to fix the car. I said sorry for the car that he needs to drive. We are going to look at things for Miami - we can make a step in the understanding of the car.” 

Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell, who is 21 points ahead of him, said: “The car is out of the window and it is so difficult to be consistent. Lewis has the pace, he is incredibly fast. 

“It is tricky for us to get it done. The tyres haven’t been in the right window. The car isn’t its true self. 

“Lewis has been massively fast, there was a blip this weekend, but he will come back stronger. The way he motivates the team is inspiring. He wants more.”