Lewis Hamilton insists “I’ve still got it” despite latest George Russell defeat

Lewis Hamilton baffled by latest qualifying deficit to George Russell, writes Lewis Larkam i🎶n 𓆏Qatar.

Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton

168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Lewis Hamilton admitted he “can’t explain” his half-second deficit to Mercedes teammate 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:George Russell in qualifying at the F1 Qatar Grand Prix.

The seven-time world champion qualified sixth for Sunday’s𝓀 penultimate race of the season in Qatar, four places and over half a second slowe🌱r than Russell, who was pipped to pole position by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Hami൩lton, who is in his final season with Mercedes before ♔joining Ferrari, has now been outpaced by Russell in 18 of the 23 regular qualifying sessions to have taken place this year.

In all qualifying sessions 🎉including the six sprint events, Hamilton has only out-qualified Rus💙sell six times in 23 races.

“I can’t explain why I am half a second off my teammate. It’s never🌼 happened in my career,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.

“I can’t explain that. What I can say is🦋 that the car felt generally fine for me. There’s not really much more I ca🐽n add.

“I’ve given it absolutely everything and the l🦄aps a🧜re generally feeling good but I come across the line and it’s just slow.”

Hamilton’s U-Turn on ‘not fast anymore’ remark

After a disappointing qualifying result for the sprint race, Hamilton, who is 🃏the all-time F1 record holder for pole positions with 104, admitted he is “definitely not fast anymore”.

Howev🅷er, following qualifying for the main grand prix, the 39-year-old Briton insisted: “I know I’ve still got it. Just, the car won’t go any faster.

“🎀I definitely know I’ve got it still. It’s not a ques♔tion in my mind. Looking forward to the end [of the season].”

When asked if he knows why he struggling to match Russe🧸ll, Hamilton conceded: “I don't know. I don’t know.”

Pushed on how it is possible to turn things around, he respond🍨ed: “It’s not possible to change it right now.”

Hamilton came out second best in a battle with future Ferrari teamm𝓀ate Charles Lecler𝕴c on his way to finishing sixth in the sprint race earlier on Saturday.

“♍I didn’t put up much of a fight, I kind of let him past to be honest,” Hamilton said of their duel.

“He was generally quicker anyways. B♊ut we have improved the car… I don’t know what it’s going to be like in race trim, but hopefully better.” 

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