Hamilton Struggles in Hungarian GP Qualifying; Starts Fifth
Lewis Hamilton's hopes of securing pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix were thwarted by a collision with Oscar Piastri during Saturday’s qualifying session. The seven-time World Champion, who was second on the grid behind Lando Norris, dropped to fifth after being penalized three positions due to impeding Piastri’s lap.
Hamilton explained in his immediate post-Qualifying interview that he was already preparing for a race of 'damage limitation', emphasizing the incident has left him questioning whether he got in the way of someone during his last lap at the Hungaroring. The stewards made their decision after Hamilton was found guilty of impeding Piastri, sending him from second to fifth.
Qualifying Snag
Air and grip issues also affected performance as both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc experienced a drop in on-track traction during the final laps. Hamilton’s main focus now is on handling tomorrow with difficulty, admitting the track is one he loves despite the competitive edge Mercedes showed earlier.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question?
How did Hamilton's incident with Piastri impact his qualifying position?
Hamilton was initially second on the grid but slipped to fifth after a three-position penalty. The collision during Piastri’s lap led to this harsh penalty.