Lewis Hamilton “feels horrible” as he braces for “really hard” F1 Las Vegas GP recovery drive
Lewis Hamilton is set for a challenging Las Vegas Grand Prix after qualifying in 20th.
The wet qualifying session left the Briton battling against poor visibility and struggling with grip. After finishing the third practice session feeling like one of the fastest on the track, Hamilton endured a disappointing end to the day.
“Obviously, it feels horrible. It doesn’t feel good. But all I can do is I’ve just got to let it go by,” he explained after qualifying.
“I’m going to try and come back tomorrow. I’ve done everything I could possibly do in terms of preparation, in terms of getting all the practice sessions. Today was feeling amazing in P3.
“I just didn’t get a lap at the end, but I felt like we were quickest. And then you come out of qualifying 20th. This year is definitely the hardest year.”
Looking ahead to tomorrow, the Ferrari driver added: “We’ll try tomorrow. I think we’ve got a really good car. It’ll be really, really hard to come back from 20th.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
After some initial confusion about whether Hamilton had crossed the line in time to put in a final lap and whether there had been a communication issue with the team, he clarified that it was red as he crossed the line.
“I had a yellow flag in the last corner, and then going into Turn 17 there was a yellow flag, and then I had to lift, came across the line and it was red. But I didn’t have the grip anyway, so I don’t think it would have made much difference.”
He further clarified with Sky Sports F1: “Well, I mean, as I came across the line it was red, so there was no miscommunication to myself.”
McLaren’s Lando Norris secured pole position and will be joined on the front row by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Williams’s Carlos Sainz will start in P3.
Photos from Las Vegas GP – Practice and Qualifying
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