Qatar GP 2024: I’ve still got it, says Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton says he “still got it” after a disappointing qualifying performance at the Qatar Grand Prix.
Hamilton started Sunday’s race in sixth place, with his lap time 0.436 seconds slower than teammate George Russell, who started from pole position.
Russell qualified behind Red Bull Racing’s Max Verstappen but qualified as the Dutchman punished by first prize For driving too slowly and holding up the Mercedes.
“It’s just that the car won’t go any faster,” Hamilton said. “I’m sure I remember it. It’s not a question in my mind.”
Hamilton, Formula 1’s all-time pole position record holder, was beaten 18-5 by Russell in Grand Prix qualifying this year.
If all six qualifying races in the sprint are included, the number is 22-6.
Hamilton can’t explain why he’s struggled to catch Russell on a lap this year.
“I’m slow,” he said. “I was half a second slower than my team-mate in the car.
“It wasn’t a tricky race. My lap time was pretty good, only half a second off.
“I did some different setups on my car today and honestly the car felt great. It was the first time we’ve done setup changes and the car felt great.
“My lap times are usually really good and when I cross the finish line, I’m half a second off.”
He added: “(I’m) looking forward to the end (of the season).”
Hamilton’s comments came a day after he said after qualifying for the Qatar Sprint that he “Definitely not fast anymore”.
Hamilton will leave Mercedes at the end of 2024 for Ferrari after 12 years with the team.
Russell said he expected the Grand Prix to start at 16:00 GMT with a tight battle between the top four teams.
McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who won the Qatar Sprint, locked up the second row. Hamilton, who finished sixth, was sandwiched between the Ferraris of future team-mate Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
Russell said: “It’s going to be exciting. It’s going to be a very tight battle between the four teams. Ferrari looked to be on pace with Lando and myself this morning.
“McLaren has more options in terms of strategy with both cars, but their race is with Ferrari, not us and Max. It’s an amazing track and I can’t wait to race on it.”
If McLaren finishes first and second and takes the fastest lap point, they will claim the Constructors’ Championship for the first time since 1998.
Piastri won Saturday’s sprint race, with Norris handing him the victory as he headed toward the finish line.
Norris controlled the pack throughout the event to ensure that Piastri took advantage of the DRS overtaking aid to keep him far enough ahead of Russell to prevent Mercedes from overtaking.
Norris said: “I’m not that confident (for the Grand Prix). George was faster than us in the sprint, we’re not as fast as Mercedes and that will make our life very difficult tomorrow.”
“I’m not expecting anything special. I think the clean air we got earlier today (during the sprint) made us look maybe a little bit better than we were.
“Honestly, I don’t think we were necessarily fastest this weekend. I think Mercedes were.
“So expecting a tough battle and excited to see what we can do. I want to give the guys in front a little battle and, of course, keep going. Our goal is to try and win the game, but these two guys ( Verstappen and Russell) may make my life very difficult tomorrow.”
