Lewis Hamilton was at a loss to clarify why the robust tempo he had proven throughout Canadian Grand Prix observe fell away in qualifying as his Mercedes team-mate George Russell took pole. Â
The seven-time world champion set a surprising tempo to prime ultimate observe at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve earlier on Saturday and seemed to be joint-favourite with Russell for pole going into the ultimate a part of qualifying.
Nonetheless, after sitting second on the timesheet behind Russell after the primary runs in Q3, Hamilton was unable to enhance and ended up a vastly disappointing seventh.
“The car was feeling great all weekend and as soon as we got to qualifying, that kind of vanished for me,” Hamilton advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“The grip simply disappears for me. P3, I had loads of tempo in me, after which get to qualifying and the tyres will not work.
“Nothing had changed on the car.”
Russell now holds an 8-1 benefit over Hamilton in qualifying this season, which is the 39-year-old’s final with the staff earlier than he joins Ferrari subsequent yr.
Mercedes have been off the tempo of Purple Bull, Ferrari and McLaren throughout the opening eight rounds of the seasons, however upgrades have lastly put them able to problem the main trio, at the least at sure circuits.
Hamilton added: “Congratulations to George for a great job. It’s really great for the team.
“Clearly, everybody has labored so onerous to carry upgrades again on the manufacturing unit, so this shall be an actual large increase for everybody again on the manufacturing unit.”
Wolff: We will not know it
Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff admitted that he was additionally confused as to why Hamilton struggled on the finish of the session.
Whereas Russell additionally failed to enhance on his first Q3 time, hanging on to pole by advantage of getting set an equivalent time to Verstappen earlier than the Dutchman, Hamilton’s drop-off on the second run was much more vital.
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Karun Chandhok is on the SkyPad to analyse the place George Russell gained time on his Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton as he sealed pole in Canada
“It seemed that Lewis was actually having the upper hand and both cars comfortably beating everyone,” Wolff advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“And then at the end, it got so tight, also for George, and Lewis – the time didn’t show up.
“We will not comprehend in the intervening time why it wasn’t a bit of bit extra in our favour.”
Hamilton will begin behind the all-McLaren second row of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, together with RB’s Daniel Ricciardo in fifth and Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso in sixth.
Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Canadian GP schedule
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A glance again at a number of the most dramatic moments from the Canadian Grand Prix
Sunday June 9
5.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – Canadian GP build-up
7pm: THE CANADIAN GRAND PRIX
9pm: Chequered Flag – Canadian GP response
10pm: Ted’s Pocket book
Components 1 is on Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix and you’ll watch each session on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve this weekend reside on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s race at 7pm. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime
