Lewis Hamilton’s final qualifying session with Mercedes ended in disaster at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with the seven-time world champion knocked out in Q1 after a bold but ill-fated strategy call left him stranded in 18th place. The Briton, visibly frustrated, pointed the finger at Mercedes’ unorthodox decision to run him on hard tires in Q1—an unconventional move that he believes sealed his fate in his farewell qualifying session with the Silver Arrows.
Hamilton’s Bold Strategy Backfires
The 39-year-old was one of only two drivers to attempt an out-of-sequence strategy by starting on the hard compound tire. However, unlike Carlos Sainz, who quickly switched to softs and managed to qualify third, Hamilton’s session went from bad to worse when he accidentally dislodged a bollard, which became stuck under his W15. The obstruction compromised his car’s aerodynamics, leaving him unable to recover the necessary pace.
“We did something very different, which was to go out on the hard tire—a strange choice in qualifying,” Hamilton admitted in post-session interviews. “We were out of sequence with everyone else, which left us on the back foot. Add the bollard incident, and it was game over.”
Mercedes Misfires as Rival Teams Shine
Hamilton’s struggles highlight a broader issue for Mercedes, which appeared off the pace throughout the session. Teammate George Russell managed only seventh, while even midfield competitors, such as Nico Hulkenberg in the Haas, posted faster lap times. The lack of competitiveness raises questions about Mercedes’ ability to fight for points on race day, especially in a grid packed with high-performing rivals.
Meanwhile, McLaren dominated qualifying, with Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locking out the front row. Hamilton’s future team, Ferrari, also had mixed fortunes: Carlos Sainz starts third, but Charles Leclerc, hindered by a grid penalty, will line up at the back.
Hamilton Eyes Redemption Despite Frustration
While visibly annoyed with the Q1 debacle, Hamilton remains determined to end his partnership with Mercedes on a high note. Drawing on his strong performance in free practice, where he consistently ranked in the top five, Hamilton remains optimistic about a comeback on Sunday.
“I’ll try to come through the field tomorrow,” he said. “The car felt decent in FP1 and FP2, so there’s still hope. It’s not how I wanted to start my final weekend with the team, but I’ll give it everything to go out with a big bang.”
A Weekend of Contrasts
Hamilton’s bittersweet farewell comes as McLaren edges closer to clinching the Constructors’ Championship, with Norris and Piastri in dominant form. Meanwhile, Ferrari’s hopes hinge on Sainz’s ability to challenge at the front, as Leclerc starts from the back due to his own grid penalty.
The stage is set for an electrifying Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Hamilton looking to mount a heroic charge through the field while his future rivals fight for glory at the front. The final chapter of his Mercedes career may have started with a stumble, but Hamilton’s story isn’t over yet.