In what was his final appearance in F1 qualifying as a Mercedes driver, Lewis Hamilton got knocked out in Q1 in Abu Dhabi. The result was undoubtedly a disappointment for the seven-time world champion and he identified a mistimed Q1 out-lap as the root cause of his troubles.
Hamilton did not relegate this disappointing result to bad luck. Rather, he felt that the team along with him had taken the wrong decision to go out as one of the last cars on the final Q1 flying effort.
“Honestly, I don’t think it was bad luck I think we timed it wrong,” said Hamilton. “We were the last cars out, there were a lot of people. I think positioning was everything being on the track at the right time.”
| Sir Lewis Hamilton to Sky Italy :
“Honestly, i don’t think it was bad luck i think we timed it wrong. We were the last cars out, there were a lot of people (running out of time at the end and so we didnt get a lap). I think positioning was everything being on the track at…
— sim (@sim3744) December 7, 2024
That said, not everything about his Q1 exit could be attributed to the team sending him out at the wrong time. Kevin Magnussen’s collision with a bollard resulted in it becoming lodged beneath the #44 driver’s W15 during the final sector of the lap.
This also cost Hamilton valuable time, as the aerodynamics of his Mercedes were disrupted by the errant object trapped beneath the car’s floor. Ultimately, the time he lost in the final sector because of this was enough to eliminate him from the session.
Hamilton has lost out on fairytale Mercedes farewell
Heading into his final Grand Prix as a Mercedes driver, Hamilton would have hoped to at least reach Q3. However, he will start tomorrow’s race from P18 on the grid. Given the car’s race pace and the characteristics of the Yas Marina Circuit, it could mean another long evening for the Briton.
In the past, the Silver Arrows have struggled to provide the #44 driver with a car he feels comfortable with, and it seems that issue has resurfaced once again. Last time out in Qatar, Hamilton appeared visibly dejected.
However, he will be hoping for a miracle to end his Mercedes career on a high note tomorrow as he prepares to join Ferrari in an iconic partnership starting in 2025.
