Lewis Hamilton will start the Dutch GP from 13th on the grid (Photo: Getty)
Sir Lewis Hamilton says he simply could not go faster as he qualified a very disappointing 13th for the Dutch Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion was eliminated in Q2 of what turned out to be a tricky qualifying session with changeable conditions catching drivers out, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Williams’ Logan Sargeant crashing out.
Hamilton was one of those affected by the drying track, unable to get the most out of his intermediate tyres as the Zandvoort circuit radically heated up.
‘I did two fast laps in the end and the tyres overheated, so I couldn’t improve on the last lap,’ the Mercedes man explained to Sky Sports.
Zandvoort can be a difficult place to overtake, and with the grid relatively close in pace this weekend, a high points finish will be a tough order for the 38-year-old.
Asked what kind of car he has for Sunday’s race, Hamilton replied: ‘The same car as I had for qualifying which wasn’t really good!
‘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.’
Max Verstappen delighted home fans by taking pole position (Photo: Getty)
Unsurprisingly, it was runaway championship leader Max Verstappen who took pole position by over half-a-second, but interestingly the top six drivers came from six different teams, with the race looking set to be a thriller.
Brits Lando Norris and George Russell were second and third, with Alex Albon shockingly getting his Williams up to P4 ahead of Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz Jr.
‘Really great session. Qualy was one of my strengths at the start of the year and it has been going a bit wrong recently,’ Russell said.
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‘It was good to have that break and I came in with a fresh set of ideas, good reset and we are in a great place for tomorrow to fight for the podium.
‘The lap was OK. We always struggle when it’s very wet or it’s the crossover onto slicks and we have to get that temperature into the tyres. But we know the Saturday weakness is the strength on Sundays.
‘It’s going to be an exciting race. I’m sure Max will be having his Sunday drive and waving to the crowd tomorrow, but hopefully we can have a good fight with Alex, Lando and all those guys.’
MORE : Daniel Ricciardo ruled out of Dutch Grand Prix after breaking hand in crash
MORE : George Russell hits back at critics calling Mercedes ‘failures’
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Max Verstappen is on pole for his home race.
