Lewis Hamilton's disastrous F1 season took another twist on Sunday when the seven-time world champion was lapped by rival Max Verstappen in Imola.
In what proved another deflating weekend for the Mercedes man, he exited in Q2 on Friday, meaning he started Saturday's Sprint Race 13th on the grid. He was then unable to make an impression in the 21-lap dash, falling back a place to 14th.
And in wet conditions in which he has traditionally flourished, that would prove his final race position as he failed to add to his current tally of 28 points. In contrast, Verstappen got his season back on track with a dominant win.
And the Dutchman's day was made better following an error from Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who blew his chance of a podium place as he eventually crossed the line in sixth. The gap between Verstappen and the championship leader is now down to 27 points.
As for Hamilton, he was afforded a grovelling apology from team boss Toto Wolff afterwards, who labelled his current car "undriveable." The fact that team-mate George Russell was able to progress from 11th on the grid to fourth though, makes Hamilton's struggles in the W13 even more of a mystery.
It was only last season where he and Red Bull driver Verstappen went toe-to-toe for the world title in a thrilling duel. In the end, it was the latter who prevailed in controversial circumstances at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
But the contrast between the two drivers - and teams - in 2022 couldn't be greater. And that was emphasised yesterday when Verstappen, who finished 16 seconds in front of partner Sergio Perez, lapped Hamilton in the closing stages.
While the scenario was met with astonishment on social media, and by Sky F1 commentators, the reigning world champion was non-plussed. In fact, his assessment of the Silver Arrows was particularly brutal.
"Mercedes has been slow all year, so for me it's not anything exciting, it just happens," he frankly told reporters afterwards. Indeed, Imola represented the third straight race weekend where Hamilton has struggled since his third-placed finish at the opener in Bahrain.
That was followed by him being eliminated in Q1 in Saudi Arabia, before eventually finishing 10th. He did manage fourth in Australia, but he currently lies seventh in the standings, 56 points off Leclerc.
Indeed, he has already written on any chance he has of challenging for an unprecedented eighth title in 2022, saying after the Sprint Race that he could only target minor improvements for the remainder of the campaign.
"We’re obviously not fighting for this championship but, we’re fighting to understand the car and improve and progress through the year," he said. "That’s all we can hope for right now."
