Hamilton now trails George Russell 5-1 in their 2024 F1 qualifying head-to-head before meeting Charles Leclerc in 2025.
Lewis Hamilton had another disappointing qualifying session in his final season with Mercedes, being beaten by George Russell for the fifth time in six races, but it wouldn’t have made much of a difference anyway, as the 39-year-old described the reality of the Silver Arrows as “tough” after their upgrades didn’t yield much.
The 103-time Grand Prix winner is accustomed to a higher level of racing than squabbling for a few points in the midfield, but that’s where Mercedes finds themselves after Pirelli’s tyres and the Miami International Autodrome proved to be incredibly variable on Saturday.
He began the practice with optimism, fresh after some thrilling racing in the Sprint Race, and impressed in Q2, finishing just 0.164 seconds behind the pace-setting Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. However, any confidence was dashed 10 minutes later as he lost 0.5 tenths on his Q2 time to finish eighth, only a second behind pole.
“The track temperature was consistent throughout and the grip felt good,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 after qualifying. “The tyres are so sensitive. Trying to get the tyres to work and deliver the maximum potential is something we struggle with. We had that glimpse of hope in Q2 then in Q3 we were nowhere. Generally, it’s been a much better day. We went forwards in the Sprint and then Qualifying, getting into Q3 was positive.”
Hamilton takes the positives from a terrible day.
The seven-time world champion did find one bright spot amid all of the setbacks with the team he will leave at the end of the season, after 11 years with the works team and much longer as an engine supplier.
Qualifying form has been his problem for over a year, and he has publicly challenged himself to improve it, thinking it cost him a shot at victory at the 2023 Singapore Grand Prix when Russell outqualified him again. So, following a devastating first-round elimination in China, being in the last round of qualifying is a minor improvement for him.
“Q3 wasn’t really great, but I’m grateful to be in there,” Hamilton told the journalists. “For us to be eight tenths off is tough.”We’re fighting the Haas, and I’m not sure if that’s the genuine speed of our vehicle or the tyres. “We haven’t been able to use these tyres for a year due to a number of issues.”
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