Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging qualifying session at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he was eliminated in Q2 and will begin the race from P12. The margin was tight, with Hamilton’s lap time of 1:15.702 just 0.015 seconds shy of making it into Q3. This continues Hamilton’s difficult season, as he struggles to establish a more consistent performance amidst fierce competition.
In a noteworthy performance, Hamilton’s fellow Ferrari driver, Oliver Bearman, managed to secure P11, showcasing his impressive skills as a rookie. Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc advanced comfortably to Q3, demonstrating competitive form by finishing Q2 in P6 with a time of 1:15.455, yet falling short of a front-row start.
Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli also endured a tough day, as he was eliminated in Q2 after a track limits violation resulted in the deletion of his best lap time. Regardless, even without that issue, he would have started from P15, marking another setback for the young driver in what has been a challenging streak.
Hamilton’s current struggles highlight the intense competition in Formula 1, particularly in a season filled with surprises and fluctuations among teams. The race on Sunday presents him with an opportunity to turn things around and capitalize on any potential missteps from competitors ahead.
While it has been a tough road, there remains hope that Hamilton can leverage his experience and skill to navigate through the field during the race.