Lewis Hamilton adamant he ‘should have been on pole’ in Las Vegas after Q3 dramas leave him 10th

Lewis Hamilton was left to rue what might have been after qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix, with the Mercedes driver’s challenge for pole position coming undone in the top-10 shootout.

Hamilton topped both FP1 and FP2 on Thursday night and showed strong pace early in qualifying, only to suffer a heavy lock-up on his first Q3 run and then experience a wild slide through Turn 3 on his second attempt.

It meant the seven-time world champion failed to get a representative time in during the decisive phase, leaving him 10th on the grid for the race – while team mate George Russell charged to pole position.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - NOVEMBER 22: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W15 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Las Vegas at Las Vegas Strip Circuit on November 22, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. — Hamilton showed strong pace early in qualifying but his challenge fell apart through Q3

Asked to talk through his session, and how it all unravelled, Hamilton said: “Yeah, it didn’t work when it mattered. I tried, but it didn’t come off.

“I should have been on pole. At least I’ve got pace, which is a good showing over the weekend and that’s the positive to take from it.”

AS IT HAPPENED: Follow all the action from qualifying for the Las Vegas Grand Prix

On whether that positive gives him confidence for the race, he replied: “Not really. I think the race is kind of done. Obviously the win is out of the question… A great job from George.”

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff echoed Hamilton’s feelings about the missed opportunity but sees no reason why the Briton cannot work his way into podium contention on Saturday night.

Qualifying Highlights: 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix

“It would have been a front row,” the Austrian commented. “I think we had a car to have the front row, and that would have given us some good opportunities for tomorrow.

“But having said that, also where he starts, the car looks quick. There’s a few that he should be able to overtake right away, and then hopefully he can play for a win tomorrow.”

Pushed on whether a one-two could be possible, he signed off: “This is a long shot, but I think if the car is not graining too much, I think Lewis can make it all the way back onto a podium position.”