Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton faces an uphill battle in the Chinese Grand Prix after qualifying down in 18th place, his worst qualifying performance since the 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix. Hamilton’s setback was attributed to a mistake at the Turn 14 hairpin, compounded by the challenging nature of his car’s performance.
Reflecting on his performance, Hamilton expressed determination to make the most of the situation, stating his intention to “have some fun” in the race despite the daunting starting position. Acknowledging the car’s sensitivity and the need to push its limits, Hamilton remained optimistic about his prospects for the race.
Hamilton’s error came after finishing second in the sprint race earlier in the day, where he had shown signs of improvement amidst a challenging season for Mercedes. Despite the setback, Hamilton remained focused on learning more about the car’s performance, as Mercedes continues to grapple with understanding its new model’s performance.
Meanwhile, Hamilton’s teammate George Russell qualified in eighth place, highlighting the contrasting fortunes within the Mercedes team. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured pole position, leading Sergio Perez to a one-two finish for the team.
Looking ahead, Hamilton emphasized the need for a strong race performance to mitigate the effects of the disappointing qualifying result. With Mercedes aiming to close the gap to their rivals, Hamilton remains determined to make the most of the race despite the challenging circumstances.