Lewis Hamilton takes dig at teammate George Russell, after losing to him in Saudi Arabia

Lewis Hamilton appeared to aim a dig at Mercedes teammate George Russell, after his fellow driver beat him in the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

The first weekend of the season didn't go according to plan for Hamilton and Russell, as Mercedes were well off the pace considering others.

Hamilton suffered another blow ahead of the second race weekend, in Saudi Arabia, as his split with long time coach and friend Angela Cullen was announced, although reports claimed it was the driver's decision.

The 37-year-old did say that he believes he will win an eighth drivers' world title, but no one, including him, can believe it is going to be this season.

Hamilton and Russell weren't as far back from the Red Bulls at the end of the race, although they were certainly helped by Max Verstappen starting in 15th place, after issues in qualifying.

The reigning world champion got up to second place, with Sergio Perez winning the street race, and Fernando Alonso rounding off the podium places.

At one point it looked like Hamilton would have the chance to catch his former teammate, but first had to get past his current one, something he failed to do, finishing fifth to the younger Brit's fourth place.

Despite being beaten by Russell, the Mercedes number one driver took a dig at his teammate, claiming his set up decisions are usually wrong.

"We work on that. There was like a 50-50 choice. I chose one way and he chose another," Hamilton said when asked about how much say they have on set up.

"More often than not, the way [Russell] went is the wrong one. But it just happened to work. So I could only match his pace than be quicker this weekend. But I'll work hard to make sure we are in a better place next time."

Russell ahead of Hamilton. Image: Alamy

The former McLaren driver has already taken a pop at the team as a whole this season, having claimed they didn't listen to him on the car.

It led to an emergency meeting and worries that he could be ready to leave them for someone else, when his contract expires at the end of the year.

On the race overall, Hamilton to praise his teammate, calling his performance 'amazing,' "We got some great points as a team," the man with 103 race winns adeed.

"George got third, which is amazing. I went forwards, which is always the hope, to at least go forwards, one foot in front of the other.

"So I'm really grateful to have come from seventh to fifth. Strategy just didn't really work out for me. Set-up was a bit off. I think if I had the set-up that George had I would have been in a bit of a better position. Lots to work on but there are positives to take from it."