A dejected Lewis Hamilton mentioned he was “undoubtedly not quick” after taking seventh on the grid for Saturday’s dash race in Losail.
The Mercedes driver certified just below 4 tenths of a second slower than group mate George Russell, who will begin from the entrance row after nearly beating Lando Norris to pole place.
Hamilton, who has repeatedly struggled in qualifying classes this 12 months, mentioned as we speak’s session was “the identical as each different qualifying – not that nice.”
“I’m simply sluggish and [it’s the] identical each each weekend,” he added. “The automotive felt comparatively respectable, no points and probably not rather more to say.”
Mercedes scored a one-two end on the final spherical in Las Vegas and Hamilton admitted the automotive is aggressive this weekend, however he doubts he’ll get the perfect out of it. “The constructive is that the automotive is quick and George ought to be capable to shoot for pole tomorrow,” he mentioned.
Ranging from the fourth row of the grid, Hamilton doubts he’ll be in rivalry for victory 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’s very onerous to be competing – effectively, nearly inconceivable just about – to be competing for wins from there,” he mentioned.
Mercedes’ trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin mentioned Hamilton regarded heading in the right direction to qualify on the entrance two rows till the tip of his lap.
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“We have been optimistic coming into the weekend however didn’t anticipate to see our efficiency in the identical window as we did in Vegas so George’s P2 as we speak is encouraging for the group,” he mentioned. “Tempo throughout the highest 4 groups appears very shut so it’s useful to be beginning the dash race on the entrance row.
“Lewis was trying aggressive in his closing lap of SQ3 however sadly misplaced a bit time within the final two corners, previous to this it regarded like he was going to additionally end within the high 4.”
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