Hamilton causes surprise: 'Surprise for everyone'

Lewis Hamilton set a great third place during the Bahrain Grand Prix, but in qualifying in Saudi Arabia things went wrong. The Briton didn't get further than sixteenth position and saw his weekend fall apart. It caused Jenson Button a lot of surprise.

The former Formula 1 driver is aware that Mercedes is struggling a lot this season to keep up with the top teams, but had expected the German racing stable to still be able to resist the middle of the driver field. Instead, Hamilton failed to even make it to Q2.

"It's a surprise for everyone in the paddock," Button stressed in conversation with Sky Sports. "Bahrain, tricky one, Lewis came back with a podium which was a great drive. Here it was a step backwards and we felt they would be a little bit more competitive with a fast flowing race here."

Hamilton takes responsibility

Despite the disappointment, Hamilton decided to take responsibility after qualifying. According to the British driver, he can't blame his team much, because he knows that the staff works hard every day to give him the best possible car. Logically, he balks at the fact that he is not yet performing consistently.