Lewis Hamilton apologises to Mercedes after ‘weekend to forget’ in Imola

Lewis Hamilton issued an apology to Mercedes following one of the worst races of his 16-season career.

The seven-time world champion finished 13th at Sunday’s wet-dry Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, a lap behind winner Max Verstappen, and nine places adrift of his team-mate George Russell.

Sergio Perez was second as Red Bull secured their first one-two finish in six years, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc came home sixth after he spun from third with just nine laps to run. Leclerc’s error allowed Lando Norris to snatch the final spot on the podium.

Verstappen’s win – his second of the season – has breathed new life into this year’s championship battle. The Dutchman moves up to second in the standings, 27 points adrift of Leclerc.

But for Hamilton, the sport’s most decorated driver, he is now already 58 points off the pace with his hopes of a record eighth world championship over for this year, and possibly beyond.

“It’s been difficult, but I don’t really know what to say,” said the deflated 37-year-old. “It’s definitely not easy.

I am out of the championship, and there’s no question about that. It has been a weekend to forget.- Lewis Hamilton

“At least George got some points today so my apologies to everyone that I wasn’t able to do the same.

“I am out of the championship, and there’s no question about that. It has been a weekend to forget.”

Indeed, it is difficult to recall a weekend where Hamilton has been so off the pace and so inferior to his team-mate.

He qualified and finished behind Russell’s in Saturday’s sprint, and then crossed the line an agonising one minute adrift of the other Mercedes in Sunday’s main event.

Despite making up a couple of places at the start, a cautious Hamilton declined the opportunity