Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton bemoans AWFUL Mercedes performance ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale

Shay Rogers Saturday 25 November 2023 17:57

Hamilton bemoans AWFUL Mercedes performance ahead of Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale

Lewis Hamilton has revealed his confusion at a total lack of pace at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend after being knocked out of Q2 for the second successive race.

The Mercedes driver has struggled to match team-mate George Russell for pace this weekend and despite holding a commanding 11-9 lead in the qualifying head-to-head two races ago, has drawn 11-11 at the conclusion of the season.

It was Russell that set a last gasp time to go fourth and knock Hamilton out in the dying seconds of Q2 to leave him starting on the cusp of the top ten for the second week in a row.

It’s a curveball in Mercedes’ fight with Ferrari for second place in the constructors’ championship, however Carlos Sainz also suffered a poor session for the Scuderia and will start from 16th for the race.

George Russell left it late to level things in the qualifying head-to-head for 2023

Hamilton: I’ve been awful all weekend

“Not great. Just struggling with balance,” he told Sky Sports F1. “I don’t have any answers and honestly at this point, it is what it is. I mean we set our cars up the same but they don’t read the same so there’s something not quite right on our side.

“I’m sure we’ll deep dive into it but I’ve been awful all weekend, struggled with the car. Two elevenths. Take some good going for me not to get into Q3 so I’ll try and make my way up tomorrow.”

Lewis Hamilton will be hoping that his Mercedes for next season is much improved

The Silver Arrows should have more inspiring race pace, but the Yas Marina circuit is far from the easiest to overtake around on the calendar.

Just four points separate Ferrari from Mercedes heading into the final race of the season on Sunday.

Latest News

Latest F1 News

Mercedes star SHOCKED by FIA reaction after damning drivers' statement

36 minutes ago

Latest F1 News

Verstappen reveals F1 RETIREMENT clue ahead of Las Vegas GP

1 hour ago

Lewis Hamilton

Hamilton drops Mercedes BOMBSHELL ahead of Las Vegas GP

2 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 star reveals DEPORTATION threat at Las Vegas Grand Prix

2 hours ago

Latest F1 News

FIA introduce MANDATORY rule change at Las Vegas Grand Prix

3 hours ago

Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 Practice Today: Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule, TV channel and live stream

Today 17:27

More news

F1 Race Calendar 2024

GP AUSTRIA 28 - 30 Jun

George Russell

GP GREAT BRITAIN 5 - 7 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP HUNGARY 19 - 21 Jul

Oscar Piastri

GP BELGIUM 26 - 28 Jul

Lewis Hamilton

GP NETHERLANDS 23 - 25 Aug

Lando Norris

GP ITALY 30 Aug - 1 Sep

Charles Leclerc

GP AZERBAIJAN 13 - 15 Sep

Oscar Piastri

GP SINGAPORE 20 - 22 Sep

Lando Norris

GP USA 18 - 20 Oct

Charles Leclerc

GP MEXICO 25 - 27 Oct

GP QATAR 29 Nov - 1 Dec

GP ABU DHABI 6 - 8 Dec

Complete kalender 2024

F1 News 24/7

Races

About GPFans

GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.

We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.

With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.

Follow us on your favorite social media channel

Corporate & Media

Innovatieweg 20C
7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860

CHOOSE YOUR COUNTRY