Lewis Hamilton experienced a bizarre Q1 exit at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix when a loose bollard became lodged under his car during his final qualifying lap. The incident occurred after Kevin Magnussen cut Turn 14, accidentally dislodging the bollard, which significantly impacted Hamilton's car's downforce.

Despite strong performance throughout practice sessions and leading his teammate all weekend, Hamilton will start from 16th position after grid penalties are applied. The timing of his final run was compromised by traffic and clock management, leaving him as the last car on track.

"You couldn't make it up," Hamilton commented, maintaining a positive attitude despite the setback. He expressed confidence in his car's setup, noting significant improvements compared to the previous five races.

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff issued a public apology, calling the qualifying strategy an "idiotic mistake." He emphasized the team's disappointment in letting down their most valuable driver during his final qualifying session with Mercedes.

Looking ahead to the race, Hamilton remains optimistic about his chances to fight through the field, targeting a potential top-10 finish despite the challenging overtaking conditions at the Abu Dhabi circuit.

The incident marks an unfortunate qualifying session in what has been a remarkable partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes, though both driver and team remain focused on maximizing their performance in the upcoming race.

Related Articles

Previous Articles