Hamilton's Horrible Feeling After Las Vegas Qualifying Low

Lewis Hamilton described his first-round elimination at the Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying as "horrible," marking yet another low point in what he calls the hardest year of his career. Despite feeling positive after practice, the Ferrari driver struggled with tire grip, leading to a shocking 20th-place qualification.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's Q1 exit in Las Vegas is a significant moment, not only for his current season struggles but also as a rare career low. For a seven-time world champion known for his qualifying prowess, such a performance raises questions about the car's consistency and the team's ability to adapt, especially as the season draws to a close.

The details:

• Qualifying Nightmare: Hamilton qualified 20th, his lowest career qualifying position, despite finishing fifth in the final practice session (FP3).
• Grip Issues: He cited a complete lack of tire grip as the primary reason for his poor performance, stating, "I couldn't get the tyres working."
• Yellow Flag Incident: Hamilton also noted a yellow flag at the final corner during his last push lap, which he says prevented him from completing a final attempt, though he doubted it would have made a significant difference due to grip issues.
• Career-Worst Season: Hamilton labeled his debut season with Ferrari as the "hardest of his career so far," indicating deep frustration with the car's performance inconsistencies.
• Previous Performance: In FP3, he felt the car was "feeling great," which made the qualifying result even more shocking.

What's next:

Hamilton remains optimistic about the race if conditions are dry, believing the car has good potential. However, starting from 20th place on a new, fast street circuit will present an immense challenge for the Briton. His ability to carve through the field will be a major test of both his skill and the car's race pace.