The second classification of the 2022 Formula 1 season brought us one of the great surprises, and it was none other than the elimination of Lewis Hamilton in the first round, something that had not happened since the 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver finished 16th after his fastest lap attempts in Q1 at the Saudi Grand Prix, and that meant he was left out at a time when the Englishman is not used to falling.
His teammate, George Russell, did manage to advance to Q2, but the seven-time world champion apologized to the German team for not meeting the objective. After getting off the W13, a single-seater that still shows the effect of porpoising, he spoke to the press to give his opinion on what happened.
“Yes, of course,” Hamilton said in reference to being surprised by the lack of performance. It was undrivable.”
“It’s very nervous, I have the same car as qualifying, so I don’t expect to make much progress, although I will give it my all,” said the British driver after being eliminated in the first qualifying round.
“I’ve only had problems with the balance of the car, and I’m not where I want to be,” continued Hamilton, who also spoke about the terrorist attacks near the Jeddah circuit on the day before qualifying in Saudi Arabia.
“We are professionals, we block anything,” explained the Briton when asked if it had affected his mentality. “Unfortunately, we got the set-up wrong.”
The man from Mercedes was talking to the press just when the serious accident of Mick Schumacher took place, who had to be evacuated by ambulance due to the great violence of the impact of his Haas against the wall.
The difficulty of this track was put on the table, and the German was also told about the crash, to which he replied: “I haven’t heard any news about what has happened, but I hope it’s okay”.
The Briton will start from the back of the grid for Sunday’s race on the Jeddah street circuit, and will need to minimize damage at the start of the season if he is to challenge for the title at the end of the year in Abu Dhabi .
