How long will Mercedes continue to protect Lewis Hamilton?

 • Lewis Hamilton had the worst weekend of his career with Mercedes at Imola.  • The seven-time world champion finished 13th while new teammate George Russell finished fourth. • Wolff's public apology is a clear indication that things are not well indeed. • For more stories, visit Wheels24.

Former world champion Jacques Villeneuve described how Mercedes needs to get comfortable being usurped as Formula 1's front-runners.

"Oh, how the mighty have fallen!" wrote Shakespeare in his adaptation of the Bible verse. And when modern-day Formula 1 scribes wax lyrical about Mercedes' current form, this same sentiment is becoming more apparent.

Mercedes, the once-great team that reigned supreme on all the world's asphalt, collecting every F1 constructors' title since 2014, has fallen.

With a bouncing, even ailing car that's seconds off the front runners, a seemingly apathetic and discontent former world champion, a frustrated team principal, and a distant third place in the current constructors' race, the Brackley team has found themselves in an alternative universe in 2022.

READ | 'I'm so sorry': Mercedes boss admits Hamilton's car is not worthy of a world champion

For Mercedes, one dim star in this universe of adversity is George Russell, as the newcomer has made the best of the crisis with consistent performances. While the Brit has downplayed the ever-widening performance gap between him and teammate Lewis Hamilton, it is, unfortunately for the seven-time champion, becoming plainly evident for all to see.

So when Mercedes boss Toto Wolff jumps on Hamilton's radio immediately after a lacklustre 13th place finish at Sunday's Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to apologise for delivering him an apparently "completely undrivable" car, it shows