Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, has cast a critical eye on his own performances in Formula 1, claiming, “I’m definitely not fast anymore.” This introspection comes after a challenging qualifying session in Qatar where he secured only the seventh position for the sprint race.
Qualifying Struggles in Qatar
In Qatar, Hamilton’s performance was notably behind that of his teammate, George Russell, who outpaced him by 0.399 seconds to secure a front-row start beside Lando Norris, the pole position holder. Russell’s position underscored Hamilton’s struggles, as Hamilton qualified five places lower.
A Season of Challenges
This season has seen Hamilton face difficulties in qualifying, a problem highlighted by his record of only six qualifying victories over Russell across all competitive sessions, excluding sprints. Hamilton, who holds the record for the most pole positions in F1 history, questioned his current performance level, admitting that he may not be as sharp as he once was.
Hamilton’s Honest Assessment
Asked whether his struggles were due to his own performance, Hamilton responded candidly, “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.” He emphasised that his relative lack of pace compared to Russell in Qatar was due to his own performance, not any issues with his car. Hamilton summarised his qualifying session succinctly: “Same as every other qualifying, not that great. I’m just slow and same every weekend.”
Strategies and Challenges Ahead
Despite often showing better race pace compared to qualifying, Hamilton acknowledges that starting races from a poor position severely limits his chances of competing for wins. Reflecting on the situation, he noted, “The long run didn’t feel too bad, but when you’re always back where I am, it makes it very hard to compete for wins. But that’s the sprint. I’ll do what I can tomorrow.”
Looking Forward
As for the chances of improvement heading into the next qualifying session, Hamilton was not overly optimistic. He highlighted the positives, mentioning, “The positive is that the car is fast, and George should be able to shoot for pole tomorrow.” The focus seems to be on leveraging the car’s pace and supporting his teammate.
Hamilton’s candid admission and evaluation of his performance reflect a champion’s humility and a deep understanding of the complexities of the sport. As the Qatar Grand Prix unfolds, all eyes will be on how Hamilton and Mercedes strategise for the races to come.
