Hamilton's 'Hardest Year' Hits New Low with Las Vegas Q1 Exit

Lewis Hamilton’s qualifying in the Las Vegas Grand Prix was a disaster, going beyond his decision to back off on a final Q1 effort. This latest disappointment compounded what he described as his “hardest year” in Formula 1.

The Ferrari driver found himself slowest in the first qualifying segment, eliminating him from Q1 and relegating him to start Saturday’s race from 20th on the grid.

Why it matters:

After a season marked by unfulfilled potential and inconsistent results, Hamilton's Q1 exit in Las Vegas — a high-profile race — underscores the significant challenges he has faced. This performance highlights the struggle to translate promising pace into solid qualifying and race results, impacting his championship hopes and Ferrari's overall constructor standing.

The Details:

• Hamilton was eliminated in Q1, placing him 20th on the grid for the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
• He cited a yellow flag in Turn 17 as a reason for having to lift off during his final attempted lap.
• Upon crossing the line, he noted red lights, indicating the session's end, although he also admitted, “I didn’t have the grip anyway, so I don’t think it would have made much difference.”
• Unforeseen Obstacle: During a crucial push lap, Hamilton hit a bollard that became stuck under his car, severely hindering his pace and derailing his run.
• Yellow Flag Interference: Further compounding his issues, another yellow flag forced him to lift off and abandon what could have been a stronger lap.
• Timing Confusion: Although time appeared to be available for another run, Hamilton backed off, possibly confusing the timing line he had just crossed with the start line ahead, upon seeing red lights on the pit gantry.

The Big Picture:

This latest setback is part of a series of disappointments for Hamilton, where promising pace in his Ferrari has not translated into concrete results. While he secured a sprint race win in China this year, he has yet to achieve a podium finish in a main Grand Prix.

What's next:

Hamilton remains optimistic despite the qualifying result, stating the car felt “great in FP3” and expressing excitement for a strong day. He acknowledged the “horrible” feeling but is focused on letting it go and coming back strong for the race. Starting from the back of the grid presents a formidable challenge, but Hamilton's history of fighting through the field means he will be aiming for a significant recovery drive in Saturday's race to salvage points from what he has called his “hardest year.”