Lewis Hamilton 'Feels Horrible' After Las Vegas GP Qualifying Disaster

Lewis Hamilton is bracing for a "really hard" recovery drive at the Las Vegas Grand Prix after a dismal qualifying session saw him start 20th. Despite feeling confident after practice, a red flag and poor grip shattered his hopes, leaving him frustrated but determined to fight back.

Why it matters:

Lewis Hamilton's struggles in qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix highlight the Mercedes team's ongoing challenges in maximizing performance consistently. For a driver of Hamilton's caliber, starting from the very back of the grid is a rare and significant setback, making his recovery drive crucial for his championship aspirations and the team's morale.

The Details:

• Qualifying Performance: Hamilton qualified 20th, a stark contrast to his P3 session where he felt the car was "amazing" and potentially the quickest.
• Conditions: The wet qualifying session was characterized by poor visibility and a lack of grip, which significantly hampered his ability to set a competitive lap time.
• Final Lap Incident: Hamilton encountered a yellow flag in the last corner and then a red flag as he crossed the line, preventing him from completing a final flying lap. He clarified there was no miscommunication with the team regarding the red flag.
• Grip Issues: Even without the red flag, Hamilton stated he "didn't have the grip anyway," suggesting a fundamental struggle with tire performance in the conditions.
• Season Difficulty: He described 2024 as "definitely the hardest year," reflecting the ongoing challenges faced by Mercedes in catching up to the front-running teams.

The Big Picture:

Hamilton's qualifying result is a blow for Mercedes, who have been battling to find consistent pace throughout the season. While the Las Vegas track is new and presented unique challenges, being at the bottom of the grid will test both Hamilton's skill and the W15's race pace. This performance adds to a season of ups and downs, emphasizing the competitive intensity of F1 and the fine margins that separate success from struggle. His ability to carve through the field will be a major storyline in the race, offering insight into the true potential of the Mercedes package under pressure.

What's next:

Hamilton remains optimistic about the car's potential in race trim, stating, "I think we've got a really good car." His focus will now shift to an aggressive recovery drive, aiming to make up as many positions as possible on a circuit where overtaking might be more feasible than anticipated. The race will be a true test of strategy, tire management, and Hamilton's renowned ability to navigate through the pack, with the aim of salvaging valuable points from what appears to be a disastrous starting position.