Hamilton takes blame: 'My apologies to the team'

Lewis Hamilton was very disappointed with the outcome after the qualifying session of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The British driver had to drop out in Q1 and therefore seems to face a tough challenge on Sunday. In conversation with De Telegraaf Hamilton took the blame.

Whereas Mercedes brought a rock-solid car to the track in recent years, the German racing stable has struggled to compete with the top teams this season due to the new regulations. Despite this, during the opening race in Bahrain it managed to secure third place with Hamilton, but this weekend it went a lot less.

George Russell could still be reasonably satisfied with a sixth starting position, but Hamilton was a lot less so. The seven-time world champion is clearly not yet satisfied with the set-up of his car. However, he did not blame his team, because according to him it was also his own fault.

"There was clearly something wrong with the car. The rear didn't work at all, I didn't have that earlier in the weekend. My apologies to the team. They work so hard and then I don't deliver," said Hamilton, who is reportedly keeping open the possibility of starting the race from the pit lane.