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

Lewis Hamilton has said “I’ll be the one to decide” in a cryptic response to a taunt from Red Bull’s Helmut Marko that he should have retired from F1.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1.

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.

 

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

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola, Italy,
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W13. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd…

“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. 

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4, Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Imola, Italy, Race
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 4,…

“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.”

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