Lewis Hamilton expressed deep disappointment, calling Ferrari`s unexpected early elimination of both cars during qualifying for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix `devastating`. This marked a new low point for the Italian team during a challenging season, especially at their home event.
For the first time in the history of the iconic Imola circuit, which is hosting its 32nd Grand Prix this weekend, Ferrari failed to place a car among the top ten qualifiers. Both Charles Leclerc and Hamilton were eliminated in Q2, finishing 11th and 12th respectively.
It was also the first time in nearly a year, specifically since the Canadian GP last June, that Ferrari had failed to reach Q3.
Hamilton, who qualified just one-tenth of a second behind his teammate Leclerc, is competing for the first time at Imola in front of Ferrari`s passionate home fans, the Tifosi.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1, a visibly disappointed seven-time world champion commented: “It was tough. Ultimately, I feel incredibly disheartened, even devastated, that we weren`t able to make it through.”
“I truly feel like we had made significant positive strides throughout the weekend. The car felt generally improved today, the brakes were better, and the balance felt really good.”
“In Q2, the first run felt decent. But then, when we put on the new tires, for some reason, I simply didn`t find any more grip and couldn`t improve my time.”
“You could see everyone else clearly managed to get their tires working effectively. We definitely need to investigate that.”
Elaborating on his frustration, Hamilton added: “The reason it`s devastating is seeing all the hard work everyone in the garage has put in. To be in Italy for my first Italian race with Ferrari and not make it to Q3, it`s definitely a mix of disappointment and frustration.”
The Ferrari pair had been inside the top 10 after their first Q2 runs, in fifth and sixth positions, but they left themselves vulnerable to being knocked out after failing to set improved times on new sets of soft tires on their final attempts.
And that is precisely what happened as, coming up behind them on track, Carlos Sainz (Williams), Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls), Pierre Gasly (Alpine) on soft tires, and even the Aston Martin duo of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll on the theoretically slower mediums, all posted faster lap times, subsequently dropping the Ferraris out of the top 10.
However, when asked if there was more performance they could have extracted from the car, Leclerc responded: “I don`t think so.”
“You can always fine-tune a lap and improve small things, but we are simply lacking pace right now.”
“There`s just not enough performance in the car, and I feel like I`m repeating myself.”
“There`s just not the inherent potential we`d hoped for in this car right now, and we need to improve.”
Ferrari Drivers Prepare for `Tough` Race
Already trailing Constructors` Championship leaders McLaren by a significant 152 points, fourth-placed Ferrari will now attempt to salvage a respectable result from their low starting positions in Sunday`s 63-lap race.
However, neither Hamilton nor Leclerc anticipate this being an easy task.
“It`s all big questions marks. It`s a very challenging track for overtaking,” said Hamilton of the narrow 3.05-mile Imola layout.
“I think tomorrow it will be difficult to move forward. We`ll have to fight hard to find a way to gain positions.”
“Simply breaking into or moving up within the top ten will be tough. There are many fast cars ahead.”
Leclerc, who had demonstrated good race pace during Friday practice, concurred.
“Very, very difficult,” he stated.
“But I can fight as hard as I can, but I can`t work miracles right now. This is the performance level we have in the car. I`m just trying to get the absolute maximum out of it. That`s all I can do.”
Marcus Prine