Hamilton out in Q2 and fumes "something is wrong" with his car during qualifying; Vandoorne crash forced him to abandon final lap, now set to start 13th; Major advantage for Ferrari in Monaco
Monday 29 May 2017 08:28, UK
Lewis Hamilton has suffered a major setback to his Monaco GP and F1 world championship hopes after being knocked out in Q2.
After qualifying 14th, Hamilton is set to start the race in 13th as a result of a penalty for McLaren's Jenson Button.
"I don't know, I can't pinpoint the problem," said Hamilton afterwards. "It's disappointing."
The three-time world champion hasn't been close to a pace set by Ferrari for much of the weekend, and was evidently struggling to handle his W08 during a pulsating qualifying session.
Hamilton's final chance of making it into the top-10 shootout came to an end when Stoffel Vandoorne's crash in the final sector forced the Mercedes driver to abandon his lap.
Raikkonen on pole, Hamilton woe
Hamilton's setback is a major boost to title rival Sebastian Vettel, who he trails by six points in the Drivers' Championship and who qualified on the front row behind pole-sitter and Scuderia tam-mate Kimi Raikkonen.
"There is so much wrong with the car," fumed Hamilton as he almost span out of the session at Massenet, struggling to get to grips with a car that Martin Brundle described as a "wild horse".
Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after qualifying, Hamilton added: "I haven't spoken to the guys so I can't pinpoint it at the moment, but it's an odd feeling - that's for sure."
Hamilton and Mercedes have looked uncomfortable in Monaco ever since topping the timesheets in the first practice session, with tyre temperatures thought to be their biggest issue. Asked if his concerns were addressed overnight, he said: "Clearly not, that's why I'm where I am. It was unfortunate with the yellow flags at the end but it is what it is."
Despite his troubles, it did look like Hamilton was going to make it through to Q3 judging by his pace in the first two sectors, though the Spanish GP victor admitted he still would have found it tough to make the top five.
The McLaren of Vandoorne crashing into the swimming pool barriers then ended Hamilton's hopes of a final shootout entirely.
It is the first time the Briton has failed to make it out of Q2 on pace alone since the Italian GP in 2013, and leaves him facing an immensely tricky and potentially chaotic start to his race.
He will now strive for a trouble and contact-free getaway from the middle of the pack, as well as hoping Valtteri Bottas can take the fight to the Ferraris from third on the grid.
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