Lewis Hamilton qualified sixth for the Qatar Grand Prix (Altaf Qadri/AP) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
Lewis Hamilton has confidently declared “it is not a question in my mind that I definitely still have it” despite only managing to secure sixth place in the qualifying round for the penultimate race of his tenure. The Formula One star, who will be joining next season, sparked speculation over his future in the sport after suggesting he “is not fast anymore” during the Qatar Grand Prix weekend.
His remarks followed a seventh-place qualification for the sprint race, where he lagged 0.399 seconds behind teammate on Friday night in Doha. Although Hamilton improved by one position in the sprint, finishing sixth, he remained behind Russell in the qualifiers for Sunday’s main race, with an increased gap of 0.436 seconds.
The 39-year-old, renowned for his record-breaking 104 pole positions, has been outpaced by Russell in 23 out of 29 qualifying sessions this year. Despite acknowledging that he is “looking forward to the end of his career” with the team that has seen him win six of his seven world championships, Hamilton remains resolute about his abilities, stating: “I know I’ve still got it.
“It’s just the car won’t go faster. But I definitely know I’ve got it.”
In an attempt to clarify his previous day’s admission of feeling slow, Hamilton elaborated: “I am slow, about half-a-second off my team-mate in the same car.”
Lewis Hamilton will line up from sixth place for the Qatar Grand Prix (Altaf Qadri/AP) (Image: Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)
When questioned if he was referring to the current weekend, Hamilton clarified: “No, it has been all year.”
“I don’t know. It is not possible to change it.”
While Hamilton contended with his car’s lacklustre pace, teammate Russell, fresh from victory in Las Vegas, grabbed a spot on the front row in initially second place to . The reigning world champion seemed on course for his first pole since the Austrian Grand Prix five months prior.
However, Verstappen had to settle for starting sixth after finishing eighth in a sprint race dominated by Oscar Piastri of . With this win, have edged ever closer to clinching their first constructors’ championship in 26 years.
Yet Verstappen bounced back in qualifying before a penalty demoted him one position for blocking Russell, promoting the driver to pole.
Norris claimed third while enabling teammate Piastri to take the sprint victory and secure a one-two for , further extending their lead over . Starting ahead of the Ferraris, with Charles Leclerc and in fifth and seventh, both McLarens are in an advantageous position.
Norris led the sprint flawlessly until he stepped aside for Piastri at the final turn, reciprocating the gesture from their Sao Paulo duel.
Norris, who once eyed the drivers’ title, now aims solely to help claim their ninth team title, equalling Williams’ record in second place overall.
, with a record 16 titles under their belt, are yearning for glory as their last win dates back to 2008. Norris experienced a setback in Q3, having to abort both his initial laps and ultimately failing to keep pace with Verstappen and Russell.
Despite the hiccup, it’s still ‘s game to lose; they’re poised to snatch the constructors’ championship this Sunday if they can outperform by 15 points, with one race left in the season. Verstappen, who has only tasted victory once in his past 12 starts, was taken aback by his pole position battle.
“It is a crazy turnaround,” admitted Verstappen. “I didn’t expect that. Well done to the team for giving me a car that is more connected.
“We changed some bits on the car, but I never thought it would make such a swing in performance. That is encouraging and I hope it continues into the race.”