London, Apr. 6 : Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton is finding it difficult to live down what he calls the worst weekend of his racing career.

Having been called a cheat during the recently held Australian Grand Prix and now his below average performance at the Malaysian Grand Prix, Hamilton said it was `the worst weekend of my career'.

The champion saw Brit rival Jenson Button claim a second win and was then dropped from fifth to seventh after a mix-up following a chaotic finish to the rain-hit race, reports The Sun.

Hamilton, who has a contract allowing him to quit his 75 million pound five-year deal if his name is brought into disrepute, said: "This was the worst weekend of my career. You all know why."

There were rumours the champion had threatened to quit after the row that followed the first race in Melbourne.

His relationship with the team who have backed him for a decade is under huge strain after he was forced to make a humiliating public apology for lying to stewards in Australia.

He was told to lie by McLaren sporting director Dave Ryan, who has since been suspended.

Hamilton's under-fire boss Martin Whitmarsh yesterday tried unconvincingly to insist things had been sorted after talks with his dad-cum-manager Anthony.

Whitmarsh, whose job is under threat when partners Mercedes hold a board meeting this week, said: "In conversations with Anthony and Lewis, the commitment to this team has not altered." (ANI)