Photo credit: www.autosport.com

Hamilton Faces Challenges After Disappointing Qualifying in Saudi Arabia

Lewis Hamilton emerged from qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix with a downcast demeanor, securing a seventh-place start. His performance comes in the wake of a successful sprint race in Shanghai, where he showcased his talent early in the 2025 Formula 1 season. However, since that victory, Hamilton has encountered difficulties adapting to this year’s Ferrari, and the qualifying results reflect those struggles.

Following the session, where teammate Charles Leclerc managed to qualify in fourth, Hamilton remarked on the challenges he faced. “It’s always tough for me in qualifying,” he stated. “Throughout the weekend, I’ve been off the pace, consistently placing around 13th in practice sessions. So, honestly, I’m just thankful to have made it to Q3 and to start from P7.”

While he recognized that his final lap was not stellar, Hamilton noted that he had been making headway during the practice sessions. “I needed to deliver a stronger lap at the end,” he continued, “but I’m just grateful to be in the mix. There’s still a long way to go this season.” His upcoming goal now is to find a better balance with the car during the race.

When pressed for optimism regarding the impending race, Hamilton humorously replied, “It’s more about praying at this point! Establishing a connection with this car for a single lap has proven quite challenging.” He emphasized persistence, stating, “We won’t back down. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. We’ll keep pushing and trying, fueled by the incredible support we’ve received.”

Hamilton’s recent comments following a fifth-place finish in Bahrain—when he expressed optimism about progress—are now under scrutiny, raising questions about whether his prior positivity was misplaced. He reflected, “After Bahrain, I felt hopeful that I could implement some of my learnings, but it hasn’t translated here.” Looking ahead to the race, he noted the importance of patience and seizing any chance presented by incidents on the track, such as yellow flags or safety cars.

“I’m going to race hard and see if I can make up some positions. Making progress would be wonderful, but if not, I’ll remain hopeful for opportunities to capitalize on unforeseen events,” he added. Despite the setbacks, he remains steadfast, reaffirming, “I’m still a long way from where I want to be, but giving up is not an option.”

As Hamilton prepares for the race, the challenge of adapting to a new car design continues to test his resilience and determination on the circuit.

Watch: Was This as Magical a Pole as Max in Suzuka? Saudi Arabia GP Qualifying Report

Source
www.autosport.com