Hamilton declares Mercedes’ title challenge finished

After qualifying 14th for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton has said his title chances are over.

The Mercedes team has won a title every year since 2014, but after a nightmare start to their 2022 campaign, their hopes of defending the constructors’ championship appear slim.

Following a difficult qualifying session for both drivers, with George Russell taking 11th and Hamilton 14th, the 37-year-old has said that they are no longer in the title fight.

Talking to Sky Sports F1, he said:

“We’re obviously not fighting for the championship but we’re fighting to understand the car and improve and progress through the year.

“That’s all we can hope for right now.”

However, the seven-time world champion is adamant that his Mercedes squad is working hard to get back to the front of the pack.

“A lot of work is going on in the background but it is what it is, it’s what we have and we haven’t got it right this year. Everyone’s working as hard as they can to correct it.

“The team have been through many, many bad years. It wasn’t the greatest of years in 2013 but we’ve had great year’s since then.

“This is the situation we’re faced with but everyone’s got their heads down, everyone’s working as hard as they can.”

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