Lewis Hamilton made a suave entrance at the Dutch Grand Prix paddock on Sunday, donning a sleek black V-neck long shirt that exuded sophistication.
The British racing icon, aged 38, combined the top with matching flared trousers and distinctive chunky shoes, creating a striking ensemble for the race day.
With an air of concentration, Hamilton completed his look by adorning a pair of attention-grabbing black sunglasses and a silver chain necklace.
The racing driver’s sartorial choice resonated with his penchant for making a statement on and off the track.
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However, his stylish appearance belied the challenges he faced in the race weekend.
Hamilton’s quest for success hit a hurdle as he was eliminated in Q2 during the qualifying session, securing the 13th starting position for the race.
This outcome dealt a blow to his aspirations of moving up to second place in the drivers’ standings, a goal he had recently expressed.
Presently positioned fourth in the standings, Hamilton trails 41 points behind Sergio Perez.
Reflecting on his performance, Hamilton maintained a perspective of personal responsibility.
Despite Yuki Tsunoda’s AlphaTauri potentially causing a minor hindrance, the seven-time world champion shouldered the blame for his and his car’s underperformance.
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 about his Q2 exit, Hamilton stated, “I did two fast laps in the end and the tyres overheated, so I couldn’t improve on the last lap.
“Hopefully, when the car is heavier maybe we can progress forward in the race.
“It’s not an easy track to move forward on, but tomorrow’s a new day and I will give it my best tomorrow.”
Meanwhile, in a dazzling display of skill, Max Verstappen ignited the home crowd’s enthusiasm by securing pole position at the Dutch Grand Prix, earning resounding cheers from his devoted fans draped in orange.
Following a challenging wet-to-dry session, the reigning world champion showcased his prowess by setting a time half a second faster than Lando Norris, who delivered an impressive performance for McLaren.
READ: Lewis Hamilton blamed for Dutch humiliation
The third spot on the grid went to George Russell, representing Mercedes, while Alex Albon made a notable achievement for Williams by securing the fourth position—a triumph reflective of the team’s efforts under new leadership led by James Vowles.
Verstappen’s pole-winning lap earned him standing ovations from the crowd, and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner acknowledged the achievement, describing it as “A mighty lap.”
Verstappen, basking in the glory of his pole position, shared his elation, revealing, “That last lap was very enjoyable,” after enduring multiple interruptions during the session.