Lewis Hamilton not expecting to leave Mercedes on a high after struggle in Qatar
The IndependentSign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. As Max Verstappen bounced back from being stripped of pole position to take victory – before launching a stinging attack on a “two-faced” George Russell – Hamilton was penalised twice by the stewards, claimed his car was “broken”, and then pleaded with Mercedes to retire him from the race. open image in gallery Lewis Hamilton struggled in his penultimate race for Mercedes “Guys, the car is messed up,” he said. “Park the car, mate.” Hamilton’s race engineer Peter Bonnington rebuffed his driver’s plea. open image in gallery Hamilton finished 12th in Qatar “We don’t anticipate a much better weekend than we have had in the past weekends, but I will try.