Lewis Hamilton recorded his fourth consecutive Q1 elimination after qualifying P16 for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Speaking to GPblog, he said he felt "a lot of anger" and explained that missing his second run contributed to the result.

Hamilton said the car felt good initially but experienced bottoming before he lost the rear end. He dismissed any link between his earlier crash and the setback, stating the team had repaired the SF-25 and that the bouncing detected beforehand continued through the session.

Hamilton also played down the impact of missing FP1 replaced by Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc's brother, Arthur Leclerc, saying all drivers "were on the same boat."

Asked about his form, he said he had no immediate plan to overturn the trend and was unsure the short winter break would help. Starting P16, he admitted there is little he can do, stressing all his weekends this season had so far been the same, but will “give it a shot.”

George Russell will start the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from P4, directly behind the three championship contenders, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

After qualifying, despite pushing his W16 to the maximum, he admitted P4 was the most he and Mercedes couldhave achieved, clarifying that his Q2 top-of-the-session lap had been run on new tyres, in contrast to Verstappen, Norris and Piastri, who'd set their lap on worn rubber.

Russell then elaborated on his radio message about Verstappen giving him a tow, revealing it was intended for Red Bull. To clinch the title Verstappen needs to win and for Norris to finish off the podium.

Russell added that he believed the Austrian team requires another driver "in the mix," - and given his P4 starting position he might just be right.

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