Lewis Hamilton says a suspension drawback forward of the Dash race was the catalyst for a “horrible” day as he dropped out in Q1 at the USA Grand Prix.
Mercedes seemed fast all through the Dash Shootout on Friday night however a yellow flag on Hamilton’s closing lap prevented him from having an opportunity of setting the quickest time. A largely uncompetitive run to sixth place within the Dash was put right down to a suspension difficulty, however Hamilton believes there was a problem with the automotive’s configuration after that as he completed nineteenth in qualifying.
“It’s been fairly horrible,” Hamilton stated. “The automotive felt nice yesterday, so clearly got here actually optimistic for right now. One thing failed on the entrance suspension actually as we pulled away from the road for the formation lap, and I had that by the race. They figured that out, they modified the nook, and it felt like a large number, clearly, by qualifying.”
With the Dash weekend taking over a special format that provides groups only one apply session, Hamilton stated the failure is irritating given the tempo Mercedes has proven.
“I don’t know what the outcome… This shouldn’t occur, and it’s clearly not deliberate,” he stated.
“I used to be about to qualify [on] pole yesterday, so it’s not a psychological drawback. When the suspension is failing or breaking, and issues aren’t coming collectively, I imply right now … you’ll need to ask the group what occurred with the suspension. I do know the blokes are working as exhausting as they will; they did the change.
“Any efficiency we deliver is constructive. Abruptly [yesterday] we had been trying actually fast. I don’t know the place that went, however we’ll preserve pushing.”
Hamilton says a fightback drive is unlikely in Sunday’s race, as he’ll begin from 18th on account of Liam Lawson’s grid penalty.
“There’s not going to be lots occurring. I began in karts with a reasonably dangerous go-kart and used to come back by the sector, so I’ll see if I can try this tomorrow.”
