After a strong performance in the final practice session at the Italian Grand Prix, Mercedes seemed poised to contend for pole position during qualifying.
George Russell managed to outpace the Ferrari duo, securing third place, while McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri claimed the front row.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz took fourth and fifth, respectively, leaving Lewis Hamilton in sixth.
The top six cars were separated by less than two-tenths of a second, a testament to the thin margins that define Formula 1 at the moment.
Speaking after the session, Hamilton expressed his disappointment, especially considering Mercedes’s impressive performance earlier in the weekend. saying: “I’m furious, Furious. Absolutely furious.
“Because I could have been on pole. I think I could have been at least been on the front row and I just didn’t do the job in the end.
“It was absolutely ridiculous from my side and completely unacceptable. I have no-one to blame but myself.”
After outqualifying George Russell in the final two races before the summer break, Lewis Hamilton has found himself on the back foot once more, and the seven-time World Champion acknowledged his recent struggles in qualifying, adding: “Lost a tenth-and-a-half [of a second] into Turn 1 and then from Turn 1 and 2, and then I lost another at the last corner, so no-one to blame but myself.
“Qualifying has been my weakness for a minute now and I can’t figure it out. I’ll keep trying.”
He then emphasised the importance of shifting focus to the race, where Mercedes has a competitive car, adding: “Probably a little bit kicking myself over the next couple hours, and then ultimately, I’ve got to move forwards.
“We have a good race car, the team have done an amazing job this weekend.
“The cars been feeling so much better than last race, and the team deserve better – maybe they’ll get that with Kimi [Antonelli],”
Although overtaking is not impossible around Monza’s straights, Hamilton acknowledged it would be challenging to get past the Ferraris and challenge Russell for a podium spot.
“That’s the chance I’ve got fighting for a race win out the window,” he admitted. “Tomorrow I’ve just got to try and recover as much as I can, and see if I can get past the Ferraris and try challenging to get a podium.”
