Martin Brundle unsure if Hamilton is among F1’s best three drivers

Mercedes driver Hamilton is aiming to kickstart a torrid 2022 season so far at the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.

World champion Max Verstappen, his adversary last year, and Charles Leclerc look set to continue their battle for this season’s title with Hamilton having already ruled himself out of an eighth championship.

Ex-F1 driver Brundle, in a column for Sky Sports, was unsure whether Hamilton is still among the best three drivers on the grid.

Brundle was asked:

In light of Helmut Marko's comments recently, who would you say are the top three drivers in F1 right now?

Brundle answered:

"The top three drivers in F1? That's tough!

"I think Max... Charles... and then I'm looking at Lewis, George [Russell] or Lando [Norris] as being the third. But I rate Carlos Sainz, and Fernando Alonso could be up there too!

"A top three is really hard as you've got to leave out an absolutely world class driver. Can I do top five?!"

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The question referred to a taunt from Red Bull consultant Helmut Marko towards Hamilton.

Asked what Hamilton might be feeling after being lapped by Verstappen at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, Marko said: “I mean he was lapped by us… so, maybe he should have stopped last year, he is thinking, maybe.”

Hamilton appeared to hit back in a social media post which read: “Working on my masterpiece, I’ll be the one to decide when it’s finished.”

Brundle did say it was “utter nonsense” to question Hamilton’s future.

“His car's not working,” he said. “Let's hope Mercedes can get the car working sooner or later.

"It's way too early to talk about Lewis leaving.”

Full F1 Miami Grand Prix race weekend schedule (UK times)

Friday 6 May

7.30pm-8.30pm - Free practice 1

10.30pm-11.30pm - Free practice 2

Saturday 7 May

6pm-7pm - Free practice 3

9pm - Qualifying

Sunday 8 May

8.30pm - Race