Abu Dhabi GP: Lewis Hamilton stunned by Mercedes’ lack of tempo in qualifying

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate George Russell certified fifth and sixth respectively; Max Verstappen took pole as Pink Bull and Ferrari outscored Mercedes on the Yas Marina Circuit; Watch the Abu Dhabi GP stay on Sky Sports activities F1 at 13.00 on Sunday, ranging from 11.30 am

Lewis Hamilton admitted he was stunned by Mercedes’ lack of tempo as he and team-mate George Russell have been unable to compete with Pink Bull and Ferrari on the season’s remaining qualifying session in Abu Dhabi.

World champion Max Verstappen took a dominant pole, with Sergio Perez locking down the entrance row for constructors’ champions Pink Bull, whereas Charles Leclerc led team-mate Carlos Sainz as Ferrari locked down the second row.

That noticed Hamilton take fifth forward of his team-mate, bringing Mercedes again all the way down to earth after Russell topped the Silver Arrows’ late-season revival by taking his first win of the marketing campaign in a one-two on the Sao Paolo Grand Prix final weekend.

“We thought this was going to be a troublesome race, however over the weekend to date we did not appear like we have been eight-tenths down,” Hamilton mentioned Sky Sports activities F1.

“So it is a bit of a shock in qualifying to be to date behind them.”

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It is a one-two for Pink Bull as Max Verstappen takes pole within the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Sergio Perez second.

The lengthy phases at Yas Marina have been anticipated to bother Mercedes and play into Pink Bull’s arms, however the hole appeared wider in qualifying than it had in any of the three follow periods that preceded it.

A lot of Mercedes’ early season issues, following the introduction of latest design laws for the 2022 season, have been a results of the W13 struggling excessive bounces or tumbles, often in sooner components of the observe.

The issue has largely disappeared as Mercedes’ type has improved within the second half of the 12 months, however Hamilton mentioned it was again with “a vengeance” in Abu Dhabi.

“Six-tenths of that (deficit) is simply on the straight,” Hamilton mentioned after qualifying virtually 0.7 seconds off Verstappen’s main time.

“In any other case I gave it my all, and sit up for the tip tomorrow.

“Bouncing is again with a vengeance, and it is undoubtedly killing time for us. In any other case, we’re simply fairly gradual on the straight.”

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Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz seems to be again in any respect the massive speaking factors from qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton additionally suffered from a brake drawback, which workforce principal Toto Wolff later admitted was a “main” difficulty that wanted to be resolved over the winter.

“I had some braking issues,” Hamilton added. “We have had it many of the 12 months, with the brake discs separated at brake temperature.

“So once you hit the brakes, the automotive pulls a technique. While you go into Flip 5, the automobiles pull to the suitable and it is a left-hand nook, so it isn’t preferrred.”

Wolff: Merc session can go to the bathroom

Wolff joked that Mercedes’ qualifying efficiency belonged “in the bathroom” however expressed hope {that a} set-up geared extra in direction of Sunday than Saturday would repay within the race.

On the again of their dominant show in Brazil, Mercedes arrived in Abu Dhabi with hopes of overturning a 19-point deficit to Ferrari within the race for second place within the constructors’ championship, however the probabilities of that occuring appeared low on Saturday’s proof.

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Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff admits they underperformed in Abu Dhabi qualifying after ending fifth and sixth.

“I simply heard it is World Bathroom Day at the moment, so I feel it is one to place in the bathroom,” Wolff informed Sky Sports activities F1.

“I feel we simply did not get the job carried out. We went backwards they usually (Ferrari) took a little bit step ahead.

“We have been operating a excessive downforce, excessive traction idea to have a superb race automotive tomorrow, and it was simply so gradual on the straights that it did not add up.

“We had the idea that for tomorrow it’s a lot better to have extra downforce to guard the tires, let’s have a look at.”

Russell: We are able to attempt to soar on the Ferraris

Russell, who’s recent off his first profession F1 win in Brazil, admitted it was unlikely Mercedes will be capable of problem Pink Bull, however he stays hopeful of getting previous the Ferraris.

“I feel the efficiency in Mexico and Brazil was real,” Russell mentioned of Mercedes’ robust current type. “We in all probability obtained the layup in a nicer window than we did right here.

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After profitable final trip in Brazil, George Russell is decided to attain extra victories in his Mercedes, whereas Lando Norris admits McLaren should develop a greater automotive for subsequent season.

“We have in all probability put our cap up a bit extra for tomorrow in comparison with at the moment, however actually the lap time deficit towards Pink Bull is sort of vital and greater than we might have favored.

“By way of grid place, that is in all probability honest given the circuit structure and what we anticipated, however we at all times need extra, particularly after a one-two.

“I am going to go there tomorrow, I’ve obtained nothing to lose actually, and luxuriate in it, struggle as onerous as I can. I feel Pink Bull will probably be a bit out of attain however hopefully we will attempt to leapfrog the Ferraris.

“I feel it will be an fascinating race. It should be very shut between one and two stops, we’d simply discover out in the course of the race what it will be, so it will be enjoyable.”