Lewis Hamilton has admitted he’s “positively not quick anymore” after one other disappointing F1 dash qualifying outing on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Hamilton might solely qualify seventh in Qatar, 0.4s off McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Worryingly for Hamilton, he was round four-tenths off teammate George Russell, who put his Mercedes on the entrance row of the grid.
It continues Hamilton’s disappointing run of qualifying outcomes – one thing he’s not been in a position to get on prime of this 12 months forward of his transfer to Ferrari subsequent 12 months.
Talking to F1 TV after qualifying, Hamilton described his dash qualifying show because the “similar as each different quali”.
“Identical as each different quali, not that nice,” he mentioned. “I’m simply sluggish. Identical each weekend. So… yeah, automobile felt comparatively first rate, no points, not likely rather more to say.”
Hamilton was then requested about his possibilities within the dash race: “The long term didn’t really feel too unhealthy however while you’re all the time again the place I’m it makes it virtually inconceivable just about to be competing for wins from there. However that’s the dash, I’ll do what I can tomorrow.
“The constructive is the automobile is quick. And, George ought to be capable to shoot for pole tomorrow.”
The interview concluded with Hamilton being requested: “however we all know this isn’t a you factor…”
After mis-hearing the query, the interviewer clarified: “We all know this may’t be a you factor since you’re saying the automobile is quick…”
Hamilton replied: “Who is aware of. I’m positively not quick anymore”.
Hamilton is clearly missing confidence over one-lap in his ultimate 12 months with Mercedes.
In typical qualifying, Russell is 17-5 up within the head-to-head over one-lap (5-1 in dash weekends).
The 39-year-old has typically proven nice tempo up till Q3 earlier than his problem faltering, as seen in Las Vegas.
This weekend although, it appeared that he merely didn’t have Russell’s tempo in dash qualifying.
