Hamilton plans “tough discussions” after Mercedes ‘completely missed the ball’

Formula 1 world championship leader Lewis Hamilton says he and Mercedes “completely missed the ball” in qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Hamilton plans “tough discussions” after Mercedes ‘completely missed the ball’

Hamilton suffered his worst qualifying result since the 2018 German Grand Prix as he ended up seventh on the grid, seven-tꦛenths down on polesitter Charles Leclerc.

The seven-time world champion struggled for grip throughout final practice and qualifying in Saturday’s ♒cooler conditions, while he also was unhappy with the balance of his Mercedes W12.

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“Today was ཧa question of tyres, the tyresဣ just not working and sliding around,” said Hamilton.

“There will be some tough discussions that I’ll have with my engineers, tonight or maybe after the weekend, as there are things that should have been done which haven’💜t been done. We’ll learnꦫ from it and come together stronger in the next race.”

Asked to expand on what he meant, Hamilton replied: 🌼"I can’t really no. But as I said, from my point it’s a little frustrating, but it is what it is.

“I c🐠an’t really say too much about it. Also I don’t’ want to be critical of team, but behin🐼d closed doors, I will be. We’ve got to work harder.”

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 in qualifying parc ferme.
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 in qualifying parc ferme.
© FIA Pool Image for Editorial Use

Hamilton revealed the Mercedes did “lots of changes to ꧒the car” after a “disaster” of an FP3, but admitted they only ended up making things worse in qualifying.

“[It was] completely [the] wrong direction, [we] completely missed the 🦹ball,” he added.

“Then we made some changes to try and take steps backward and move the car into a different place and the car was worse than ever. I think we really lost our way on Thursd🐲ay.”

Hamilton conceded victory in the Monaco GP is “out of reach” and is targeting damage 🐟limitation with his title rival Max Verstappen due to start from second on the grid.

“It’s near, almost impo𝓀ssible to overtake,” he said.

“From where we are it's pretty much the case, wh🦹en everyone's on the same speed.

“Saturday is the da💦y so obviously that really does put for sure the win out of reach, but I gues💟s the minimum will be hopefully seventh.

“Then we've got to try and somehow see ho🅷w we can move forward.”

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