Hamilton Admits Struggles with Pace in Formula 1

Lewis Hamilton has voiced concerns regarding his speed in Formula 1, admitting, "I’m definitely not fast anymore," after qualifying seventh for the Qatar Grand Prix, trailing behind teammate George Russell. Despite finding the car's performance satisfactory, Hamilton's ongoing difficulty in matching Russell's pace throughout the season has been a source of frustration, with him only managing to outqualify Russell on a handful of occasions. He emphasized the challenges of starting from a lower grid position, noting that it severely limits the possibility of competing for race victories.

In stark contrast, George Russell approached the Qatar Sprint race with confidence after securing second on the grid, marking a robust performance. Meanwhile, Hamilton reflected on his disappointing qualifying session as "just slow," indicating a persistent struggle with pace that could hinder his competitiveness as the season concludes. His comments underscore a rift in morale within the Mercedes team as they navigate the final stages of the season, with Hamilton facing uncertainty in what could be his last year with the team.