Just In: Lewis Hamilton Worried against Ferrari move after another DISAPPOINTMENT in Qatar “I’m definitely not fa…read more
Lewis Hamilton Worried against Ferrari move after another DISAPPOINTMENT in Qatar “I’m definitely not fa…read more
Lewis Hamilton has expressed frustration over his recent struggles in sprint qualifying, admitting that he’s “definitely not fast anymore” after another underwhelming performance at the Qatar Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion could only manage seventh place in the sprint shootout, finishing 0.4 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris and a further four-tenths adrift of his Mercedes teammate, George Russell. Russell secured a front-row start, highlighting the growing disparity between the two drivers this season.
Hamilton’s qualifying woes have been a persistent issue throughout the year, and this latest result continues his disappointing run ahead of his much-anticipated move to Ferrari next season. When speaking to F1 TV after the session, Hamilton offered a candid assessment of his performance: “Same as every other quali—nothing great. I’m just slow. Same every weekend. The car felt relatively decent, no issues really, but not much more to say.”
When asked about his prospects for the sprint race, Hamilton remained pragmatic: “The long run didn’t feel too bad, but when you’re always back where I am, it makes competing for wins almost impossible. That’s just the sprint. I’ll do what I can tomorrow. The positive is the car is fast, and George should be able to fight for pole.”
An attempt by the interviewer to reassure Hamilton—suggesting his struggles were not down to him but other factors—was met with skepticism. After initially mishearing, Hamilton responded, “Who knows. I’m definitely not fast anymore.”
This admission highlights a clear dip in confidence for the 39-year-old, particularly in one-lap performance. Across the season, Russell has consistently outqualified Hamilton, leading their head-to-head battle 17-5 in traditional qualifying and 5-1 during sprint weekends. Hamilton’s struggles often become most apparent in Q3, where his pace has repeatedly faltered after strong showings in earlier segments. This trend was evident during the Las Vegas Grand Prix and seemed to persist in Qatar.
For Mercedes, Hamilton’s lack of pace in Qatar is particularly concerning, as Russell appears to have a car capable of challenging for the top spots. Meanwhile, Hamilton’s frustrations underscore the difficulties he has faced in his final season with the team, as he prepares to transition to Ferrari in 2024.
The sprint race will offer another opportunity for Hamilton to salvage some momentum, but the former champion’s recent comments suggest he faces a steep uphill battle to regain his confidence and form.
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