Hamilton confidently states he ‘still got it’ at the Qatar Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton, despite recent challenges in matching the pace of his teammate George Russell, confidently states he "still got it" at the Qatar Grand Prix. The seven-time Formula 1 champion, who has experienced a notable dip in his qualifying performance since the Singapore Grand Prix in September, placed sixth on the grid in Saturday's qualifying session. This follows a seventh-place finish in Friday's sprint qualifying, where he openly expressed concerns about his speed.
Reflecting on his performance, Hamilton acknowledged the gap to his teammate Russell, saying, "I mean I'm slow, I'm half a second off my teammate in the same car." However, the British driver dismissed any doubts about his competitive spirit. He pointed to his strong showing at the Las Vegas race, where he rallied from a 10th place starting position to finish second, as evidence of his enduring skill.
"Yeah, I know I’ve still got it," Hamilton affirmed. "Just, the car won't go faster at the moment. I definitely know I’ve got it still. It’s not a question in my mind. Looking forward to the end [of the season]."
As the season progresses, Hamilton is set to make a high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari, marking one of the most significant changes in recent Formula 1 history. He will partner with Charles Leclerc in 2025, adding an exciting new chapter to his storied career. The anticipation of this partnership was heightened during a spirited on-track battle between Hamilton and Leclerc in the weekend's sprint race, showcasing a preview of what fans can expect next season.
"It was alright, it was fair. Nice and close," Hamilton commented on the duel with Leclerc. Despite not defending aggressively, he acknowledged Leclerc's edge in speed and hinted at a more combative approach should a similar situation arise in the future: "If I'm in the same position again tomorrow, I'll put more of a fight up, for sure."
Hamilton's resilience and anticipation for future races reflect a seasoned champion ready to reclaim his top form as the Formula 1 season heads towards its thrilling conclusion.
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