Lewis Hamilton Expresses 'Anger' After Third Consecutive Q1 Exit
Lewis Hamilton expressed profound "anger" after his third consecutive Q1 exit, a streak not seen since 2009. A crash in FP3 hindered his qualifying, leaving him 16th and questioning what he can achieve from such a poor grid position. His despondent remarks highlight a significant struggle to find solutions, putting his career-long podium record at risk and raising serious concerns about his current performance slump.
Lewis Hamilton is reeling from a dismal qualifying performance, crashing in Free Practice 3 and subsequently exiting Q1 for the third consecutive Grand Prix. This marks a significant low point in his illustrious career, triggering frustration and a sense of helplessness.
Why it matters:
Lewis Hamilton's recent struggles—three consecutive Q1 exits (Las Vegas, Qatar, and this latest event)—represent his worst qualifying streak since 2009. This slump casts a shadow over his pursuit of a podium finish in every F1 season, a record he now risks losing. For a driver of Hamilton's caliber, these repeated early exits are a stark indicator of deeper issues within the Mercedes camp, or at least his side of the garage, and highlight the intense pressure to regain form.
The Details:
- Qualifying Exit: Hamilton was eliminated in 16th place, missing Q2 by a mere 0.009 seconds behind Yuki Tsunoda.
- FP3 Crash: His qualifying session was undermined by a crash at Turn 9 during Free Practice 3, which limited his preparation and confidence heading into the crucial session.
- Historical Context: This marks the first time since the 2009 Monaco, Turkish, and British Grand Prix that Hamilton has suffered three consecutive Q1 exits, underscoring the severity of his current predicament.
- Hamilton's Reaction: When asked about his feelings post-qualifying, Hamilton stated, "I don't have the words to express how I feel, just a lot of anger."
- Car Issues: He attributed the crash to "some bottoming" which caused him to lose the rear end, indicating potential setup or car balance issues.
- Impact of Reduced Running: Hamilton acknowledged that missing his second run due to the crash didn't help, but maintained that "everyone's in the same boat," referring to the limited track time.
- Despondent Outlook: Hamilton offered brief, downcast responses when questioned about future plans, expressing a lack of a concrete action plan or hope for the upcoming break to reset mentally. He also expressed low expectations for the race, stating, "There is not a lot you can do from there, so the same thing happens every weekend for me." This highlights a clear feeling of helplessness and a struggle to find solutions.
What's next:
Hamilton's bleak outlook for the race from P16 suggests a challenging weekend ahead, with his record of a podium in every season now in serious jeopardy. The team will need to conduct a thorough analysis during the short break to understand and address the fundamental issues plaguing his recent performances. How Mercedes and Hamilton rebound from this string of setbacks will be critical in determining their trajectory for the remainder of the season and beyond, especially with the 2026 regulations on the horizon.