Lewis Hamilton concedes defeat to Max Verstappen, ruling out an F1 win in 2022

Lewis Hamilton acknowledges that it is "highly unlikely" he will maintain his record of winning at least one race in every season of his career. He fears he has "a steep hill to climb" to stop Max Verstappen from dominating Formula 1.

Hamilton finished second for the third time this year when Verstappen denied him victory with just six laps remaining of a thrilling United States Grand Prix.

Moments after stepping out of his Mercedes, the seven-time world champion said his narrow defeat to Verstappen filled him with the hope that he would be a winner again.

But Hamilton also conceded that the race at the Circuit of the Americas was probably his best shot to the top step of the podium this year, with only rounds in Mexico, Brazil and Abu Dhabi remaining.

"We need to be realistic," the 37-year-old said. "The Red Bull car has been the fastest by far all year.

"It was great to have started third and been in a position to fight for the win, but on true pace, they have been ahead of us all weekend. They were (on Sunday), and they will be at the next three races.

"Unless something drastic happens to them, then it's highly unlikely that we will have the true pace to be able to compete with them. This was probably one of our best chances of winning. But we will give it everything we've got."

Stay up to speed on the latest Formula 1 news by subscribing to our FREE newsletter, 'The Undercut'

Lewis and Max put on a great show ??#USGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/QdIVZQ9cE7

Equalling the record

Despite a poor pitstop dropping him to third, Verstappen moved past Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Hamilton to take the chequered flag and tie Michael Schumacher and Sebastian Vettel's record of 13 wins in a season.

It was also the 33rd victory of his career,