Lewis Hamilton

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton acknowledges it is highly unlikely he will maintain his record of winning at least one race in every season of his career.

"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. They were (on Sunday), and they will be at the next three races. "The Red Bull car has been the fastest by far all year.

Lewis Hamilton has admitted he is 'highly unlikely' to extend his unique record of winning at least one race in every season of his career after missing out ...

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. But speaking at the Circuit of the Americas an hour or two later, the seven-time world champion said: ‘We need to be realistic. But we will give it everything we’ve got.’ [Max Verstappen](/sport/max-verstappen/index.html) again pipped him, leaving the Briton second for the third time this year – a signal of Red Bull’s dominance, which Hamilton believes will be difficult to reverse. - The Briton was beat by Max Verstappen in the final laps of the US Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton's current F1 contract runs until the end of next season.

The Mercedes boss has claimed Hamilton has suggested he could have another five years left in the sport which would take him up until his early to mid-40s. "But having said that, if we were to continue our understanding and development of the car, I think we can catch up quickly. So it's clear that Red Bull in a very favourable position, not only for this year, but also for the start of next year.

Hamilton has won a race in every single campaign of his F1 career up to and including last season, but 2022 now looks likely to be the year that streak ...

Asked if F1 is set for an era of Verstappen rule, Hamilton said: "It is too early to say, but if we get into next year and they're dominating again, then yes. Hopefully it will not be impossible." "We need to be realistic, the Red Bull car has been the fastest by far all year," the seven-time world champion said. They were [on Sunday], and they will be at the next three races. The 2021 title rivals went wheel-to-wheel for a few corners, but in the end the performance difference saw the Red Bull man breeze past and go on to win yet another race. The Silver Arrows have closed the gap as the season has progressed.