Lewis Hamilton has declared himself out of the race for the 2022 Formula 1 World Championship following Sunday’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.
Hamilton endured a difficult race stuck deep in the pack, and crossed the line in 13th place.
The seven-time World Champion was chasing AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly for most of the race, but couldn’t force a move on the Frenchman.
With no points scored for this first time this year, Hamilton currently sits seventh in the Drivers’ Championship, 58 points down on Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
“I am out of the championship, for sure, there’s no question about that, but I’ll still keep working hard and try and somehow pull it back together somehow,” Hamilton said.
“Everyone’s feeling it, and everyone’s just head down trying their best, there’s no-one that’s giving up, everyone is trying to move forward as fast as they can.”
Despite accepting that he is not in contention for the title this season, Hamilton has asserted that he has “definitely had lower moments” during his career.
Mercedes still managed to score points on Sunday, as George Russell fended off Valtteri Bottas in the latter stages of the race to take fourth.
“I don’t really know what to say,” added Hamilton. “It definitely isn’t easy. We all feel it as a team.
“At least George got some points for the team today, my apologies to everyone that I wasn’t able to do the same.”
Mercedes has also taken a hit in the Constructors’ Championship, with Red Bull’s strong weekend elevating it into second place.
Ferrari currently leads the standings, with Mercedes, who has won the Constructors’ title every year since 2014, sitting 47 points down on the Maranello-based squad.
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