Spanish Grand Prix

Hamilton: I just wasn't good enough in Spanish GP qualifying

Bottas took pole with a lap record.

Martin Macdonald

Saturday 11 May 2019 16:35 Updated: 16:42

Lewis Hamilton says he just didn’t do a “good enough job” to claim pole position for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix during qualifying on Saturday, with team-mate Valtteri Bottas taking the spot after recording a lap record for the Circuit de Catalunya.

The Brit displayed impressive speed in the last free practice on Saturday morning, but couldn’t convert it into pole after Q3, with Bottas twice breaking the lap record on the day.

Hamilton beaten by Bottas to pole as Mercedes smash FerrariRead more

He admits he didn’t deserve to finish in first.

“Firstly, Valtteri did a fantastic job. He's been quick all weekend. I think, on my side, I just didn't put the laps together,” Hamilton told Jenson Button on the grid

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“So, the last couple of laps, were, in Q3 particularly, just weren't strong. I had to go out to early because I came in too early.

“So I had to go out, first, ahead of everyone. Ultimately, it just wasn't a good enough job.”

BOSSED IT! 👊 @ValtteriBottas takes POLE for the #SpanishGP!! pic.twitter.com/5zUKCaaDLw
— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) May 11, 2019

Hamilton is hoping to make amends in the race proper, though, and hopes for another Mercedes 1-2 tomorrow - ideally if he and Bottas switched positions.

“I'll be giving it everything,” he assured.

“It's great for the team to have this 1-2, so we'll try and convert that into another 1-2 [tomorrow] and if we can reverse it I'll be happy.”

The five-time world champion is currently one point behind Bottas in the 2019 driver’s championship.

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