Lewis Hamilton will start the British Grand Prix from fifth position on the grid after a challenging qualifying session at Silverstone on Saturday. Despite his efforts, a critical fuel miscalculation during the early qualifying phase almost cost him a better position, complicating his path forward in the race.
Fuel Strategy Issues Hamper Hamilton’s Qualifying Performance
During the first segment of qualifying, Hamilton was unable to complete a second flying lap because his Ferrari ran out of fuel prematurely. This mistake came at an inconvenient time, jeopardizing his chance to set a competitive lap early on. However, he managed to avoid elimination in Q1 and bounced back to record the fastest time in Q2, ultimately qualifying fifth overall. Reflecting on the incident, Hamilton described the situation as “timing was off” and explained that
“We only had fuel for one lap and there was still time on the table to go again.”
Jenson Button, providing expert analysis, highlighted the rarity and gravity of the error:
“It was a big, big risk. It was, overall, not executed. We then executed the next two better.”
He added,
“They were the only ones to make that mistake.”
Despite the severity of the error, Button remarked that the team was fortunate to progress:
“They shouldn’t be making those mistakes with the experience they’ve got. Lucky, they got away with it.”
Assessing Hamilton’s Chances at the British Grand Prix
Rain is forecasted to arrive in the hours prior to the race, which begins at 3 pm on Sunday, creating uncertain track conditions that could work to Hamilton’s benefit. The driver, who is the most successful competitor in Silverstone’s history, captured victory at last year’s British Grand Prix during his final home race with Mercedes. This year, Hamilton will start behind Max Verstappen, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris, and George Russell.
Hamilton openly acknowledged the challenge ahead, saying,
“It will be very, very hard to beat the McLarens or the Red Bulls. But where there’s a will, there’s a way…”
Button commented on Hamilton’s car performance, noting,
“They have looked so strong, the car has looked beautiful. The car looks comfortable and nice to drive but not so much in qualifying.”
He pointed out that small errors under pressure affected qualifying results,
“They both made mistakes. If it didn’t happen they would have been on pole position. It’s the little things under pressure…”
Hamilton’s qualifying lap was further undermined by understeer late in the session, which cost him nearly a full second and the potential for a higher grid placement. Commentator Naomi Schiff emphasized Hamilton’s familiarity with Silverstone:
“We’re at a track that he knows best. That gives him extra.”
For Ferrari, the results were disappointing, with drivers qualifying fifth and sixth despite showing promise. Schiff remarked on their recurring issues, stating,
“They always lose time on the Saturday then have harder work on the Sunday.”
Hamilton Outqualifies Teammate but Seeks More
Hamilton managed to outqualify his teammate Charles Leclerc, an important personal achievement amid scrutiny over his recent qualifying performances. Button observed,
“In the end it looks like the car was up there with the best of them.”
He added,
“Lewis beat his teammate but it’s the only race where he won’t be happy with just beating his teammate. He looked so strong, but was P5…”
This positioning sets the stage for a tense Sunday race, where Hamilton’s experience and resilience will be tested under variable weather and on a track that demands precision. The outcome will not only influence the British Grand Prix but also impact his momentum in a season filled with high competition across teams such as McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton 40 years old?
A. Lewis Hamilton is the first driver aged 40 or older to claim a pole position since Nigel Mansell.
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton vegan?
A. F1 driver Lewis Hamilton openly supports veganism. He is also involved in investing in plant-based ventures.
Q. Is Lewis Hamilton still vegan?
A. Interestingly, I’ve shed some pounds. This could be because his pizzas don’t have cheese. Hamilton follows a vegan diet and has supported plant-based diets since 2017.
Q. Who did Lewis Hamilton date for 8 years?
A. Nicole Scherzinger: 2007-2015 F1 driver Lewis Hamilton and singer Nicole Scherzinger met at the MTV Awards in 2007. They started a relationship that was on and off. Their relationship went on for eight years before ending in 2015.