Lewis Hamilton says he will be the one to decide when his "masterpiece" is finished in a defiant post on Instagram.
The British racer has endured a problematic start to his 2022 F1 campaign, scoring just one podium, and finishing 13th in his most recent Grand Prix, in Imola.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton took to Instagram amid speculation about his future and increased criticism to post a defiant message to his fans.
The 37-year-old said: “Working on my masterpiece, I’ll be the one to decide when it’s finished".
Hamilton delivers a powerful stance in the images while stood surrounded by a host of coated F1 tyres.
The seven-time world champion is hopeful that his team will bring upgrades to his Mercedes.
GUGLIELMO MANGIAPANE
The Mercedes driver currently finds himself seventh in the world rankings after four races, 21 points behind his teammate George Russell, and a further 58 points behind current world championship leader Charles LeClerc.
He has faced criticism following his struggles in recent races, including from Red Bull adviser and former racer Dr Helmut Marko, who commented on Max Verstappen's lapping of Hamilton during the Imola Grand Prix.
He told Sky Sports: “He was lapped by us so maybe he should have stopped last year, he is thinking [that] maybe".
Lewis Hamilton appeared to respond to critics in his Instagram post.
LOREN ELLIOTT
Max Verstappen's lapping of Lewis Hamilton was a significant moment due to its contrast with the tense title battle the pair had in the 2021 season, with the Dutchman coming out on top.
Lewis Hamilton issued an apology to Mercedes following one of the worst races of his 16-season career.
“It’s been difficult, but I don’t really know what to say,” said the deflated 37-year-old. “It’s definitely not easy.
“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".
Lewis Hamilton was lapped by last season's title rival Max Verstappen during the Imola Grand Prix.
Tim Goode
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have both been vocally critical of the car Mercedes have provided them with for the 2022 season, and it is noticeably off the pace, with Red Bull and Ferrari consistently recording stronger lap times each race weekend so far.
Team boss Toto Wolff has also admitted the car is not where it should be, apologising to Lewis Hamilton over the team radio during the Imola Grand Prix on Sunday.
“Sorry for what you have had to drive today,” said the Austrian over the radio. “I know this is undriveable".
Speaking after the race, Wolff said: “Lewis deserves better from us, we need to provide him with a machine that is able to fight at the front.
“In a way, I have to protect him. It is not his low. It is the low of the car performance. We know that he is a seven-time world champion.
“The guy is the best driver in the world, and he does not have a machine and the equipment underneath him to be able to execute that.
“It is irrelevant if you come eighth, 12th, or 15th, it doesn’t matter. It is all bad.
“But the real stars have recovered, and the great ones that come to my mind had certain moments in their career where things didn’t run properly and that is the case now with Lewis.
“We have to sort this out and stick together through good and bad times, and today was certainly a very bad day".
Lewis Hamilton will take to the track again in Miami next week as he looks to regain ground on his rivals.