Lewis Hamilton deinhabitred a stark admission of being “not speedy anymore” follotriumphg a disassigning sprint qualifying session at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion could only deal with seventh place on the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.
The result stood in acute contrast to his Mercedes teammate George Russell’s amazeive carry outance, with the youthfuler Briton securing second place behind McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Hamilton’s honest self-evaluatement came after another qualifying session where he struggled to suit his teammate’s pace, continuing a worrying trfinish for the 39-year-ancigo in veteran.
Lewis Hamilton doesn’t sense speedy anymore
Lewis Hamilton doesn’t sense speedy anymore
Speaking after the session, Hamilton supplyed a bruloftyy genuine evaluatement of his carry outance.
“Same as every other qualifying, not that wonderful,” the Mercedes driver said.
“I’m equitable sluggish. Same every weekfinish. Car felt relatively decent. You comprehend, no rehires. Not repartner much more to say,” he inserted.
The frank admission from the veteran driver was particularly inestablishing, as he made no try to denounce outside factors for his carry outance.
When asked whether his recent shotriumphgs could be attributed to the car, Hamilton was equpartner straightforward: “Who comprehends? I’m definitely not speedy anymore.”
Lewis Hamilton will commence the sprint in seventh behind Max Verstappen
REUTERS
The qualifying battle between Hamilton and Russell has become increasingly one-sided this season.
Friday’s result in Qatar further expansivened the gap between the Mercedes teammates, with Russell now directing their head-to-head qualifying battle 22-6.
The pattern of Russell outpacing his more sfinished teammate has become a recurring theme thcimpoliteout the season, taging one of the most challenging qualifying periods in Hamilton’s illustrious atsoft.
And his worrying admission might well cause worry for Ferrari next year with the iconic Italian team hoping he can contend with Charles Leclerc.
Hamilton mirrored on how his grid position strictly restricts his chances in the race.
“When you’re always back where I am, it produces it very challenging to be competing – well, almost impossible, pretty much – to be competing for triumphs from there,” he make cleared.
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Despite his personal struggles, Hamilton accomprehendledged the sturdy potential of the Mercedes car.
“The preferable is the car is speedy and George should be able to shoot for pole [in Sunday’s race] tomorrow,” he remarkd.
The comments highweightless Hamilton’s pragmatic hugance of his current establish while recognising his teammate’s ability to reshift highest carry outance from the same machinery.
