Lewis Hamilton bemoaned his again luck and felt he might have pushed for a podium in his ultimate race for Mercedes, just for his Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifying to finish in a disappointing Q1 exit after a dislodged bollard received trapped beneath his automobile.
The seven-time world champion was on his ultimate effort to place in a lap that might get him by way of to Q2 when he came across a sluggish Kevin Magnussen within the Haas.
The Dane, conscious Hamilton was arising behind him within the lodge part, moved off the monitor and behind the kerbs to strive to not block the Mercedes.
Nonetheless, in doing so, Magnussen struck the bollard that’s on the within apex, flinging it throughout the monitor simply as Hamilton arrived.
With no time to react, Hamilton ran over the bollard, and it received trapped beneath his automobile as he tried to complete the lap and was finally solely 18th quickest.
Clearly offended in regards to the state of affairs and the dearth of tempo, Hamilton got here on the crew radio straight afterwards and stated: “That was unhealthy man, Jesus”
Talking after his forgettable ultimate qualifying session for Mercedes, Hamilton revealed he had hoped a podium on Sunday might have been in his grasp.
“It is simply my luck, but it surely’s okay. You already know, I attempted, we tried so onerous with the set-up, we received the automobile in an incredible place, and it was trying good in P3 [third practice],” he stated.
“So I used to be actually considering perhaps a podium is feasible this weekend and yeah, then timing was not optimised for the session. I used to be the final one on the monitor and clearly I ended up behind one of many Alpines proper in the long run so I simply ran out of time.
“I don’t have any feelings. I am fairly chill. We had this unlucky session and received the bollard beneath the automobile.
“I believe for me, I’ve simply been very current. I have been having fun with each second. I’ve received the automobile in a very good place.
“The set-up modifications we have making, the automobile has been utterly totally different to the final 5 races. This weekend it has been feeling actually nice, and so it’s unlucky.”
Kevin Magnussen, Haas VF-24
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Photographs
Magnussen defined the state of affairs when requested in regards to the bollard incident by Motorsport.com: “Lewis was coming very shut behind Bottas, I believe,” he stated.
“There was somebody coming and I let him previous, and I wasn’t conscious that Lewis was proper on his tail. They have been each pushing so I went onto the within of Flip 14 to get out of the best way.”
Hamilton will transfer up the grid resulting from penalties for Charles Leclerc and Alex Albon, one thing he admits he’s “actually grateful” for as he targets a memorable final race for his present squad.
“The tempo was first rate. It isn’t going to be simple to overhaul tomorrow. I’ve set to work on technique now and as an alternative of preventing for a podium let’s see how far I can get, if I can get into the highest 10, that might be wonderful,” he added.
“I imply, I’ll strive…as I stated, the automobile’s been feeling first rate and to go from the P1, P2 the place I used to be at all times comparatively within the prime 5 to the being 18th undoubtedly modifications the look into the weekend, however I I am nonetheless making an attempt to be actually current.
“I am nonetheless actually grateful the crew have been…the automobile’s been utterly totally different this weekend and it has been so, a lot nicer to drive and so my hopes are excessive however it’s what it’s, I will try to come again from there.”
Pictures from Abu Dhabi GP Follow & Qualifying
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
System 1
Lewis Hamilton
Mercedes
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