In a qualifying session full of emotions and setbacks, Lewis Hamilton experienced an unexpected elimination in Q2. Saturday’s day was marked by constant interruption, with a total of six red flags that altered the development of the session.
The extended session saw several drivers suffer incidents, including Charles Leclerc, Hamilton’s teammate, and other competitors such as Pierre Gasly, Franco Colapinto, and the championship leader, Oscar Piastri.
Hamilton, seven-time world champion, will be forced to start from twelfth position on the grid. His best lap in Q2 initially placed him in tenth place, but Leclerc’s fastest time relegated him to the elimination zone.
Leclerc managed to advance to the final qualifying session, but an accident at Turn 15 during his first attempt to seek pole position, with seven minutes remaining, ended his participation.The very Hamilton expressed his disappointment after the session. “Obviously, I am very disappointed,” he commented. “Yesterday, the car felt good, today we took a direction that, on paper, seemed the best for us.”
Hamilton added that, despite the setbacks, he feels there were positive aspects during the weekend.
