AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語
No Result
View All Result
AutoGear

Hamilton’s Farewell Turns Sour: Stuck Bollard and Bold Strategy Sink Mercedes Star in Q1 Exit

Harry Bright by Harry Bright
December 7, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Hamilton’s Farewell Turns Sour: Stuck Bollard and Bold Strategy Sink Mercedes Star in Q1 Exit

Formula One F1 - Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina Circuit, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - December 6, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton during practice REUTERS/Jakub Porzycki

Lewis Hamilton’s final qualifying session with Mercedes ended in disaster at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the seven-time world champion knocked out in Q1 after a bold but ill-fated strategy call left him stranded in 18th place. The Briton, visibly frustrated, pointed the finger at Mercedes’ unorthodox decision to run him on hard tires in Q1—an unconventional move that he believes sealed his fate in his farewell qualifying session with the Silver Arrows.


Hamilton’s Bold Strategy Backfires

The 39-year-old was one of only two drivers to attempt an out-of-sequence strategy by starting on the hard compound tire. However, unlike Carlos Sainz, who quickly switched to softs and managed to qualify third, Hamilton’s session went from bad to worse when he accidentally dislodged a bollard, which became stuck under his W15. The obstruction compromised his car’s aerodynamics, leaving him unable to recover the necessary pace.

“We did something very different, which was to go out on the hard tire—a strange choice in qualifying,” Hamilton admitted in post-session interviews. “We were out of sequence with everyone else, which left us on the back foot. Add the bollard incident, and it was game over.”


Mercedes Misfires as Rival Teams Shine

Hamilton’s struggles highlight a broader issue for Mercedes, which appeared off the pace throughout the session. Teammate George Russell managed only seventh, while even midfield competitors, such as Nico Hulkenberg in the Haas, posted faster lap times. The lack of competitiveness raises questions about Mercedes’ ability to fight for points on race day, especially in a grid packed with high-performing rivals.

Meanwhile, McLaren dominated qualifying, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locking out the front row. Hamilton’s future team, Ferrari, also had mixed fortunes: Carlos Sainz starts third, but Charles Leclerc, hindered by a grid penalty, will line up at the back.


Hamilton Eyes Redemption Despite Frustration

While visibly annoyed with the Q1 debacle, Hamilton remains determined to end his partnership with Mercedes on a high note. Drawing on his strong performance in free practice, where he consistently ranked in the top five, Hamilton remains optimistic about a comeback on Sunday.

“I’ll try to come through the field tomorrow,” he said. “The car felt decent in FP1 and FP2, so there’s still hope. It’s not how I wanted to start my final weekend with the team, but I’ll give it everything to go out with a big bang.”


A Weekend of Contrasts

Hamilton’s bittersweet farewell comes as McLaren edges closer to clinching the Constructors’ Championship, with Norris and Piastri in dominant form. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s hopes hinge on Sainz’s ability to challenge at the front, as Leclerc starts from the back due to his own grid penalty.

The stage is set for an electrifying Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Hamilton looking to mount a heroic charge through the field while his future rivals fight for glory at the front. The final chapter of his Mercedes career may have started with a stumble, but Hamilton’s story isn’t over yet.

Share222Tweet139Send

Related Posts

Oscar Piastri stuns with pole in Imola as Ferrari dreams crash with Leclerc and Hamilton Q2 exits
Motorsports

Oscar Piastri stuns with pole in Imola as Ferrari dreams crash with Leclerc and Hamilton Q2 exits

Oscar Piastri delivered a stunning performance to take pole position for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, holding off none other than...

by Carl Harrison
May 17, 2025
Terrifying Imola GP Crash Chaos: Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda’s Dramatic Qualifying Incidents
Motorsports

Terrifying Imola GP Crash Chaos: Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda’s Dramatic Qualifying Incidents

Formula 1's Imola Grand Prix Qualifying Red-Flagged Again After Massive Crash by Franco Colapinto In another heart-stopping moment at the...

by Carl Harrison
May 17, 2025
Sergio Pérez at the Crossroads: Can Red Bull Afford Another Season of Struggles?
Motorsports

Sergio Perez Fans Demand Return After Yuki Tsunoda’s Terrifying Emilia Romagna GP Crash

Red Bull's Nightmare Continues: Yuki Tsunoda's Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying Crash Sparks Outrage Among Fans In a heart-stopping moment during...

by Harry Stone
May 17, 2025
VIDEO – Alpine’s Franco Colapinto survives heart-stopping crash, triggering red flags at F1 Imola GP
Motorsports

VIDEO – Alpine’s Franco Colapinto survives heart-stopping crash, triggering red flags at F1 Imola GP

A horrifying crash at the Imola Grand Prix has once again halted the Formula 1 qualifying session, as Franco Colapinto...

by Arthur Ling
May 17, 2025

Recent News

Oscar Piastri stuns with pole in Imola as Ferrari dreams crash with Leclerc and Hamilton Q2 exits

Oscar Piastri stuns with pole in Imola as Ferrari dreams crash with Leclerc and Hamilton Q2 exits

May 17, 2025
Terrifying Imola GP Crash Chaos: Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda’s Dramatic Qualifying Incidents

Terrifying Imola GP Crash Chaos: Franco Colapinto and Yuki Tsunoda’s Dramatic Qualifying Incidents

May 17, 2025
Sergio Pérez at the Crossroads: Can Red Bull Afford Another Season of Struggles?

Sergio Perez Fans Demand Return After Yuki Tsunoda’s Terrifying Emilia Romagna GP Crash

May 17, 2025
VIDEO – Alpine’s Franco Colapinto survives heart-stopping crash, triggering red flags at F1 Imola GP

VIDEO – Alpine’s Franco Colapinto survives heart-stopping crash, triggering red flags at F1 Imola GP

May 17, 2025

Newsletter

  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TECHNICAL INFORMATION
  • EDITORIAL STATUS
  • TERMS AND CONDITIONS

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Latest News
  • AutoGear TV
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Motorsports
    • Formula 1
      • STANDINGS
    • Formula E
    • Circuits
    • WRC
    • Rally
    • Rally raid
    • WEC
  • English
    • Português
    • Italiano
    • Français
    • Español
    • English
    • Deutsch
    • 日本語

© 2023 AutoGear - Todos os direitos reservados AutoGear.

Enable Notifications OK No thanks
x