Lewis Hamilton says he has “nonetheless acquired it” after a disappointing qualifying efficiency on the Qatar Grand Prix.
Hamilton begins Sunday’s race sixth after setting a lap 0.436 seconds slower than team-mate George Russell, who begins from pole.
Russell certified second to Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen however was promoted because the Dutchman for driving too slowly and impeding the Mercedes.
“Simply the automotive will not go any sooner,” Hamilton stated. “I positively know I’ve acquired it nonetheless. It is not a query in my thoughts.”
Hamilton, the all-time Components 1 report holder for pole positions, has now been crushed 18-5 by Russell in grand prix qualifying periods this 12 months.
The determine is 22-6 if all six qualifying periods for dash occasions are included.
Hamilton was at a loss to clarify why he’s struggling to match Russell this 12 months over one lap.
“I am gradual,” he stated. “I am half a second off my team-mate in the identical automotive.
“It wasn’t a difficult session. My laps have been fairly first rate, simply half a second off.
“I set my automotive up just a little bit completely different at the moment and truthfully the automotive felt nice. It’s the first time we’ve made a set-up change and the automotive felt good.
“My laps are usually actually good and I come throughout the road and that’s half a second down.”
He added: “[I’m] trying ahead to the top [of the season].”
Hamilton’s remarks come a day after he stated following qualifying for the dash occasion in Qatar that he was .
Hamilton is leaving Mercedes on the finish of 2024, after 12 years with the workforce, to maneuver to Ferrari.
Russell stated he anticipated an in depth battle between the highest 4 groups within the grand prix, which begins at 16:00 GMT.
The McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who received the dash occasion in Qatar, locked out the second row. Hamilton in sixth is sandwiched between the Ferraris of his future team-mate Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Russell stated: “It will be thrilling. It will be a extremely shut battle between all 4 groups. Ferrari appeared on the identical tempo as Lando and myself this morning.
“McLaren have extra choices on the technique with two vehicles however their race is with Ferrari not us and Max. It’s an incredible circuit and I simply can’t wait to go racing.”
McLaren can clinch the constructors’ championship for the primary time since 1998 in the event that they end first and second with the purpose for quickest lap.
Piastri received the dash race on Saturday after Norris handed him the win on the run to the road.
Norris had managed the pack all through the occasion to make sure Piastri had the benefit of use of the DRS overtaking support to maintain him simply far sufficient forward of Russell to stop the Mercedes from passing.
Norris stated: “I am not that assured [for the grand prix]. George was faster than us within the dash race, we aren’t as fast because the Mercedes which is able to make our life very tough tomorrow.
“I do not count on something particular. I feel the clear air that I had earlier at the moment [in the sprint] made us look in all probability a bit higher than we have been.
“I do not assume we have essentially been the quickest to be trustworthy this weekend. I feel Mercedes have.
“So anticipating a tricky battle and excited to see what we will do. I wish to give the fellows forward just a little battle and naturally go ahead. Our goal can be to try to win the race however these two guys [Verstappen and Russell] are in all probability going to make my life fairly robust tomorrow.”
