Hamilton impatient to see the back of ‘this thing’
ABU DHABI: Lewis Hamilton says he can’t wait to see the back of Mercedes’ complicated and mercurial 2022 car after the return of bouncing and brake problems in Saturday’s qualifying for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“I don’t ever plan to drive this one again. It won’t be one that I request in my contract,” said Hamilton.
“I’m looking forward to the end of next Tuesday which is the last day I have to drive this thing,” he said.
The seven-time world champion posted the fifth fastest time, one place ahead of teammate George Russell who claimed his maiden victory in Brazil last weekend, but adrift of pole-sitter and two-time champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull.
“Bouncing is back, so that’s not easy,” he said after qualifying six-tenths behind Verstappen whose team-mate Sergio Perez was second to lock out the front row for Red Bull. Ferrari filled the second row of the grid.
“I definitely wasn’t expecting to see such a big gap. We’re losing six-tenths on the straight. It was reminiscent of some of the previous races before Austin.”