Hamilton’s Frustration Peaks at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton expressed deep frustration following his fourth consecutive exit in Q1 during the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix qualifiers, culminating in a disappointing 16th-place grid position. This marks Hamilton’s best qualifying result since Brazil, where he finished 13th, yet still underscores a troubling trend in his late-season performance.
“I don’t have the words to describe the feeling inside,” Hamilton said. “There’s an unbearable amount of anger and rage… I don’t have a plan for anything,” highlighting his mental state as the season concludes.
Hamilton’s struggles were exacerbated by a crash in FP3, which resulted in limited practice time for his team. The incident has left some uncertainty regarding potential technical issues with the car, which Hamilton noted had exhibited bottoming problems prior to the crash. “They just fixed the car,” he added, emphasizing the complexity of the situation.
Meanwhile, teammate Charles Leclerc managed to advance to Q3 and secured a fifth-place qualifying spot. However, he echoed concerns about Ferrari’s competitiveness, suggesting the team’s focus may be shifting towards the 2026 model, impacting their performance. “If we do the slightest mistakes, we are out,” Leclerc acknowledged, pointing out that the midfield has significantly closed the gap in recent races.
Leclerc articulated the pressure of high-stakes qualifying sessions: “You’re either in the wall or through Q1,” indicating the razor-thin margins that characterize contemporary qualifying battles. The Ferrari driver further noted the difficulties in understanding car dynamics when the need for full commitment leaves little room for error.
As the motorsport world turns its attention to the upcoming race, both drivers face the challenge of regrouping to finish the season strongly amidst mounting pressures and uncertain car performance.
