Hamilton reflects on his ‘not fast anymore’ comments

Lewis Hamilton was left downbeat once more after the Qatar Sprint, as he was asked to expand on his post-Sprint qualifying declaration that he was "not fast anymore."

After making up two positions on a superb opening lap, the Mercedes driver momentarily looked as though he was preparing to challenge Carlos Sainz for fourth position as he stuck within DRS range for a handful of laps.

However, he came under immense pressure from the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc – a close-fought battle between the two followed, with the Monegasque emerging ahead to leave Hamilton with just three points.

With his team mate George Russell continuously challenging at the top end of the grid, the former world champion was left mystified by his performance struggles in what was expected to be a strong car around the Lusail International Circuit.

Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton battle for track position during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 30, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Peter Fox/Getty Images) — Hamilton and Leclerc had a nail-biting battle around the high-speed circuit

“I have no clue,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 after being asked about his Friday comments. “I don’t have an answer for you. It’s not been great. At this point, I really don’t care – I just want to get through these last couple of races and do my job, turn up and I’m looking forward to the winter break.

“I woke up this morning and I think the most important thing is to leave with gratitude, so I’m really grateful that I get to do what I love doing even when there are days that I don’t love it as much.

“I’m really, really so lucky to be here amongst all these other amazing athletes. It’s painful when it doesn’t go well. No one likes losing but that’s a part of the journey.”

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell talk to the crowd prior to the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Qatar at Lusail International Circuit on November 30, 2024 in Lusail City, Qatar. (Photo by Bryn Lennon - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty Images) — Hamilton was forced to settle for P6 while his team mate celebrated a podium finish in Qatar

His fight with Leclerc offered a glimpse into what could unfold when the two join forces at Ferrari next season, but Hamilton later explained that his Sprint was largely overshadowed by a range of issues.

Just one week on from his remarkable comeback drive in Las Vegas, he said: “The start was good, and then I just struggled with balance and struggled with bouncing, the instability of the car.

"Charles – I didn’t know which Ferrari it was – either way, he was catching me and I couldn’t really hold him back.

“We had a cool, close wheel-to-wheel battle in a couple of corners but then I couldn’t hold him back.”