Lewis Hamilton blamed "track specific" issues with the W13 for the reason why he couldn't challenge for pole and maintain his career record in qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The seven-time World Champion had achieved a pole in every season he's participated in prior to the session, with this one being the last opportunity of 2022 to maintain that record. But after qualifying in fifth – nearly seven tenths off the pace – Hamilton blamed the issues with the W13, including porpoising, for why the team are so far off despite leading the way in practice on Friday. "[I] definitely wasn't expecting to see such a big gap, but we're losing six tenths on the straights," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365.com . "It's kind of reminiscent of some of the previous races before Austin, [and the] bouncing is back, which is costing us time." Hamilton also noted the issues they've had with their brakes, which has plagued them throughout the season .
Moment that cost Hamilton P4 on the grid
Hamilton had a moment during his final qualifying attempt at Turn 14, causing him to make a correction and lose more time. "I lost like two and a half tenths," he told Viaplay . "So maybe one place." The other statistic that Hamilton will be vying to keep will be his win record, which states that he has won at least one race in every season that he has entered. Hamilton currently sits fifth in the Drivers' Championship, meaning if he doesn't hold on to his the win record, it would be one of the worst seasons the Briton has had in his career on record.
Most read
