Lewis Hamilton had ‘no confidence in the car’ in latest qualifying....

Lewis Hamilton had ‘no confidence in the car’ in latest qualifying….read more

The seven-time world champion faced elimination in SQ2, ultimately qualifying in 11th position for the sprint race at Interlagos, placing him five spots behind his teammate, George Russell.

Hamilton’s performance was marred by difficulties in managing the bouncing issues of the W15 throughout Friday’s events. He candidly described his qualifying experience as “pretty bad,” noting that it felt like a repeat of previous sessions. “It’s the same as every qualifying for me,” he remarked, emphasizing his frustration with the car’s handling. He added, “Not happy about it, but I just don’t have any confidence in the car. A big struggle for me.”

During the only practice session on Friday, Hamilton was heard expressing discomfort and pain, which he attributed in part to the resurfacing of the Interlagos track. He criticized the quality of the resurfacing, stating, “The ride was pretty bad on the track for everyone. The track has been resurfaced, and they’ve not done a particularly great job. It’s bumpy for everyone.” He likened the ride quality to the challenging conditions experienced during the Baku Grand Prix in 2022, particularly down the straights. He noted that the car was hitting the ground hard, prompting adjustments to improve the situation.

Despite these changes, Hamilton still found the car difficult to handle, particularly through corners, describing it as “hopping” and emphasizing the challenges of driving it. His downbeat demeanor reflected his uncertainty about the rest of the weekend. “It is what it is; it will be what it will be. I’m not massively bothered if I’m honest,” he said, indicating a certain resignation to the challenges at hand.

Looking ahead, Hamilton expressed a hope to make progress during the sprint race, stating, “If I can move forwards in the sprint, great. I’ll try again in qualifying too. Make some changes to the car and see what we can do.” His remarks highlight a sense of determination to adapt and improve, even in the face of adversity, as he navigates a challenging racing season with his Mercedes team.