Formula 1 Qatar GP
Hamilton: "I'm definitely not fast anymore"
Lewis Hamilton has questioned whether he still is as quick as he used to be after latest qualifying struggles
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Nov 30, 2024, 8:46 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Lewis Hamilton has issued a damning verdict on his own performances in Formula 1 right now, saying "I'm definitely not fast anymore."
The seven-time world champion endured another difficult qualifying session in Qatar on Friday, as he ended up seventh on the grid for the sprint race.
This was five places behind his team-mate George Russell, who was 0.399 seconds faster as he secured a spot on the front row alongside pole position man Lando Norris.
Watch: How Cooler Temperatures in Qatar Played Into McLaren's Hands - F1 Sprint Qualy Reaction
After a season where Hamilton has struggled to get on top of his car in qualifying, having beaten Russell just six times versus 22 in all competitive sessions so far (5-17 excluding sprints), F1's pole position record holder has suggested that he may not be as good as he once was.
Asked whether the issue was of Hamilton's own making, he said: "Who knows? I'm definitely not fast anymore."
Hamilton was clear that the relative lack of pace compared to Russell in Qatar was the result of him not performing, rather than it being any problem with his car.
"Same as every other qualifying, not that great," he said. "I'm just slow and same every weekend. So yeah, car felt relatively decent. No, no issues, and not really much more to say."
While Hamilton has often found himself better in relative terms in race pace compared to qualifying, he says that he is still leaving himself with too much to do by starting races so far back.
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes F1 W15
Photo by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
"The long run didn't feel too bad, but when you're always back where I am, it makes it very hard to be competing for - well almost impossible pretty much - to be competing for wins from there. But that's the sprint. I'll do what I can tomorrow."
Asked if the reset for qualifying on Saturday night would offer him a chance to do better, Hamilton said: "Not particularly, no. I mean, the positive is that the car is fast, and George should be out to shoot for pole tomorrow."
Read Also:
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Pirelli finding no evidence of repeat Qatar F1 tyre dramas
Next article F1 Qatar GP sprint race: Start time, how to watch, TV channel
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1 Dec 31, 2024
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Dec 28, 2024
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Latest news
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
1 h
"It's horribly painful" - Williams drops 2026 car upgrades to benefit 2027
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
2 h
Iker Lecuona felt significant differences between Ducati's GP25 and GP26
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Mexican GP
3 h
The Kimi Antonelli you don't know: Inside the Mercedes garage with F1's new world champion
Feature
Discover prime content
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Formula 1
By Kevin Turner
Top 10 F1 cars of the 1970s
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe