For the first time since 2014, Lewis Hamilton has failed to make Q3 in back-to-back races, after only being fast enough for P11 on Saturday at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Following on from Hamilton’s disappointing Las Vegas Grand Prix last weekend, he was hoping to end the season on a positive note; however, he was left feeling as despondent as ever.
Whilst he safely made it through Q1 at the Yas Marina Circuit, Hamilton struggled to improve on his final hot lap in Q2, leaving him in trouble.
Hamilton had been in the bottom five ahead of the final runs in Q2, with his final lap having been good enough only for 10th.
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He was then demoted to 11th after George Russell completed his final lap, which bumped him up to fourth.
The seven-time World Champion couldn’t believe that he’d been eliminated and immediately told Mercedes that something wasn’t right with his car.
Onboard footage did show that the 38-year-old just didn’t have any grip on his final lap in Q2, with the Silver Arrows having performed better in the hotter temperatures earlier in the day.
Just like 12 months ago, Hamilton is clearly keen for the season to be over, as is Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.
Unsurprisingly, Hamilton was ridiculed on social media after being eliminated in Q2.
“Somebody tell that grandpa to retire,” wrote @dystainak on X (formerly Twitter).
“Let’s all laugh at the GOAT,” said @venkatesh_koka.
“Hahhahahahhahaha Hamilton sucks so much,” stated @MyDearestApollo.
Others joked that Hamilton would be on the phone to Red Bull boss Christian Horner, after the team principal revealed earlier in the week that he was contacted this year by a representative of the Mercedes driver.
“Hamilton about to give Horner another call after this weekend,” @HeyImPdawg commented.
“Hamilton will call Christian Horner now,” joked @WicketWhisper.
READ: Lewis Hamilton makes major admission at Abu Dhabi GP
Mercedes will need Hamilton to try and score some points on Sunday to fend off Ferrari in the fight for second in the Constructors’ Championship.
The Germans have a four-point advantage over Ferrari ahead of the final race of 2023, with Charles Leclerc starting second, Russell in fourth, Hamilton in 11th and Carlos Sainz in P16.
The Spaniard was eliminated in Q1.