Hamilton: Qualifying hasn't been good enough in 2019
Hamilton: Qualifying hasn't been good enough in 2019
Lewis Hamilton admits he has not hit his usual standards in qualifying in 2019, after signing off for the season with a fifth pole position of the year at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
This season would have left Hamilton with his worst return in qualifying since joining Mercedes had he not secured P1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, the drivers' champion doing so with a new lap record time.
Hamilton had not taken pole position in nine races – his worst run as a Mercedes driver – before the final weekend of the season, where he has racked up a 88th career pole, now 20 clear of Michael Schumacher on the all-time list.
The previous Hamilton pole had come in Germany, where he was suffering from illness, leaving the Bruton somewhat bemused as to how he has managed to take as many qualifying wins as he has done.
He said: "It feels longer than the German Grand Prix and, if I'm really honest, I don't even understand how I got the German Grand Prix pole!
"It's been really hard because you come back from the break, and the competition's been spectacular, all the drivers have been doing an amazing job.
"I don't think my qualifying has been terrible, but it's just not been at my usual standard perhaps. Of course it is incredibly satisfying to know that we put the work in.
"Honestly [88 poles] it's really strange, it honestly feels like the first. I don't know why. It feels super fresh, maybe because it's been so long since earlier on in season.
"I'm well aware that you can't win them all and I've been extremely fortunate and done a relatively decent job over the years.
"I think it's just understanding the car and ultimately just squeezing out the best, not overdriving, not underdriving, trying to find the right balance throughout the year."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 boss 'in early talks' to SELL 25 percent of team
- 59 minutes ago
Will F1 hopeful Antonelli replace Sargeant from Imola?
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Hamilton dealt major Newey blow as Red Bull chief makes BRUTAL admission
- 2 hours ago
Schumacher reveals how Mercedes could snare Verstappen
- 3 hours ago
Red Bull chief in BRUTAL putdown of key F1 feature
- 3 hours ago
Cullen relationship blossoms with new star after moving on from Hamilton
- Today 09:59
Related news
Cullen relationship blossoms with new star after moving on from Hamilton
Incredible statistic puts Verstappen AHEAD of Hamilton record
Fierce rival calls Hamilton F1's GOAT in surprise admission
Hamilton sends strong message over Gaza deaths
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860