Hamilton disappointed: "I couldn't keep up with the Haas"

Lewis Hamilton has gone from fighting for the World Championship to fighting for points in just four months in Saudi Arabia. Last time Formula 1 visited Jeddah, the Brit had a great duel with Max Verstappen for the race victory, but Mercedes are struggling at the start of this new era with new rules and regulations. In 2022, Hamilton started from 15th and recovered to get one point. 

Hamilton disappointed

With nothing to lose, Mercedes opted to start Hamilton on the hard tyres with the goal of going for a long stint and waiting for a late safety car. As the race approached lap 40, a late virtual safety car happened but the seven-time World Champion couldn't capitalise because the pit lane was closed. At the time, Hamilton ran in sixth. 

"I was feeling good but it all hit the fan during the cars stopping. Who knows, I will have to speak to the team. Gutting but I got one point at least. I don't think much has changed since the last race only a few days. I couldn't keep up with the Haas, the power they had, we've got a lot of work to do for sure," Hamilton told Sky Sports. 

"I struggled at the start with tyre temp, then it started to get better and I gained on the guys ahead," Hamilton added. With his podium last week, Hamilton now has 16 points to his name in the World Championship and sees new teammate George Russell move ahead.