I’m definitely not fast anymore

Lewis Hamilton has issued a damning verdict on his own performances in Formula 1 right now – saying “I’m definitely not fast anymore.”

The seven-time world champion endured another difficult qualifying session in Qatar on Friday, as he ended up seventh on the grid for the sprint race.

This was five places behind his team-mate George Russell, who was 0.399 seconds faster as he secured a spot on the front row alongside pole position man Lando Norris.

After a season where Hamilton has struggled to get on top of his car in qualifying, having beaten Russell just six times versus 22 in all competitive sessions so far (5-17 excluding sprints), F1’s pole position record holder has suggested that he may not be as good as he once was.

Asked whether the issue was of Hamilton’s own making, he said: “Who knows? I’m definitely not fast anymore.”

Hamilton was clear that the relative lack of pace compared to Russell in Qatar was the result of him not performing, rather than it being any problem with his car.

“Same as every other qualifying, not that great,” he said. “I’m just slow and same every weekend. So yeah, car felt relatively decent. No, no issues, and not really much more to say.”

While Hamilton has often found himself better in relative terms in race pace compared to qualifying, he says that he is still leaving himself with too much to do by starting races so far back.

“The long run didn’t feel too bad, but when you’re always back where I am, it makes it very hard to be competing for – well almost impossible pretty much – to be competing for wins from there. But that’s the sprint. I’ll do what I can tomorrow.”

Asked if the reset for qualifying on Saturday night would offer him a chance to do better, Hamilton said: “Not particularly, no. I mean, the positive is that the car is fast, and George should be out to shoot for pole tomorrow.”