Lewis Hamilton makes brutal F1 confession after finishing fourth at Hungarian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday
PA
Lewis Hamilton has confessed he hasn't been at his best for a year in the wake of his fourth-placed finish at the F1 Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday.
The Brit led for the majority of the race with many expecting him to secure a podium finish.
But Hamilton ended up finishing fourth instead behind the likes of Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
The 38-year-old has struggled ever since missing out on the F1 Drivers' Championship to Verstappen back in 2020.
Lewis Hamilton made a sad confession after F1 Hungarian Grand Prix
PA
And after yet another difficult day at the office, Hamilton brutally admitted he wasn't racing at the top of his game.
"I haven't been at my best for over a year," admitted the veteran.
“I think yesterday felt like that was me being nearly back to the best. It’s the car and me.”
Hamilton has frequently taken aim at Mercedes amid their troubles this season, admitting their car isn't up to scratch.
And he doubled down on those comments after the race in Hungary, saying: "It's obvious we're not the quickest, we don't have the quickest car.
"I'm really proud of myself and the job that we did yesterday to get pole position to out-perform the world champion and the other two cars that were quicker than us.
Hamilton continued: "Today is reality.
"The reality is we are not fast enough. They already told me in strategy this morning I would be at least five tenths slower than the Red Bull so the fight is not with Max.
"We were hoping we could fight the McLarens but the McLaren was too quick.
"I think we may have been third with a better start, but fourth is OK."
While Hamilton is unhappy with Mercedes' performance this season, he's still expected to sign a new contract with the Silver Arrows.
And Toto Wolff confirmed in the aftermath of the race that the Stevenage-born racer was primed to sign a two-year extension.
Wolff also said a fresh deal was 'emotionally done'.
But Nico Rosberg, who had a heated rivalry with Hamilton during his F1 days, scrutinised those comments by saying:
“Can someone tell me what that means when a contract is emotionally done? I have no idea where they are at, or why Lewis is taking so much time.
"All of us hope that he will continue of course, and it really seems to be the case.
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F1 star Max Verstappen won the Hungarian Grand Prix on Sunday
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"Especially with the car progressing now, that’s going to help that contract process also."
Hamilton remains fourth in the F1 standings, having picked up 133 points so far.
That's just six behind Fernando Alonso, who sits in third.
Hamilton won't have too long to dwell on his issues in Hungary, with the Belgian Grand Prix scheduled to take place at 2pm this Sunday.
The Brit had won that race four times in the past, with victories coming in 2010, 2016, 2017 and 2020.
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