Lewis Hamilton blamed himself for a “terrible” Spanish Grand Prix after he completed sixth in Sunday’s race.
Hamilton loved his joint-best qualifying on Saturday and began fifth however rapidly got here beneath strain from Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, and let him by means of after simply 9 laps.
The Ferrari driver then ran in a lonely fifth till a gradual second pit cease put him on the backfoot in his battle in opposition to former Mercedes team-mate George Russell and dropped him to sixth.
A Security Automotive for Kimi Antonelli retiring gave Hamilton a late alternative to make up floor however he was overtaken by the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg.
“Well what do you want me to say? I’ve had a really bad day and have nothing to say. It was a difficult day,” despondent Hamilton advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“There’s nothing else to add to it. It was terrible. There’s no point explaining it. It’s not your fault. I just don’t know what to say.”
When advised whether or not the group can discover some solutions, he added: “I’m sure they won’t – it was probably just me.”
Hamilton hoped to face on the rostrum for the primary time as a Ferrari driver however as a substitute had “zero positives” to take from Sunday.
He mentioned: “I have no idea why it was so bad. That was the worst race I’ve experienced balance-wise.”
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Highlights of the Spanish Grand Prix from the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya
Vasseur reveals Hamilton ‘had a difficulty’ in final stint
Hamilton’s race velocity is often a power however he was clearly outpaced by Leclerc all through the 66 laps across the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and is now 23 factors behind his Ferrari team-mate within the championship.
Ferrari group principal Frederic Vasseur revealed Hamilton suffered an issue on the automotive earlier than the late Security Automotive however didn’t say what the problem was.
“You are experienced enough to draw a conclusion after the first words of the driver,” he mentioned.
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A dramatic restart on the Spanish GP noticed Max Verstappen collide with Charles Leclerc and George Russell
“If you want to create a polemic, you can. But it’s not the case. I think he did 70 per cent of the race in front of Russell. I’m not sure that Russell said that the race was a disaster.
“However then we had a difficulty on the automotive the final stint, earlier than the Security Automotive. The outcome isn’t good, however he did 45 laps in entrance of Russell.”
Rosberg: Hamilton’s race was shockingly bad
Hamilton has only beaten Leclerc once this season in the races, which came at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix last month.
Sky Sports F1‘s Nico Rosberg says “it is laborious to look at” his former team-mate struggle.
“Sunday was a horrible day for him as a result of he was simply gradual on the market, which may be very uncommon,” mentioned Rosberg.
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Nico Rosberg commented on Ferrari’s struggles throughout FP2, with Hamilton stating his automotive was ‘not driveable’ in Spain
“Yes, sometimes he’s off in qualifying but in races he’s usually really awesome and the race was shockingly bad.
“He does not have solutions both. Was there injury on the ground? These flooring are so delicate and there can at all times be a bit there and also you lose numerous time.
“When you don’t have any answers, it’s really tough as a driver then you see your team-mate race their way to third place on the podium. In light of the whole season he’s had so far, it’s a very dark situation.”
The 2025 System 1 season pauses for breath after the European triple-header earlier than resuming stay on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix from June 13-15. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
