LEWIS HAMILTON will begin tomorrow’s Saudi Arabia Grand Prix in P16 after being eliminated in Q1 in today’s qualifying.
The Brit struggled to get to grips with the circuit in his new car, having won in Jeddah back in December.
Lewis Hamilton struggled for pace in Q1
Hamilton’s shock Q1 exit was his first since Brazil 2017, and his first without a crash since 2009.
The 37-year-old found himself in 16th after his second lap, being forced to squeeze in a third attempt with just three minutes remaining.
He went across the line in 15th, but was beaten to the final place in Q2 by Lance Stroll just moments later.
After the result was communicated to him over the radio by his team, Hamilton said: “Sorry guys.”
Responding to the shock result, Sky pundit Jensen Button admitted he was “Speechless”.
Hamilton’s Silver Arrows team-mate George Russell posted the fourth best time in Q4, comfortably getting into Q2.
Eliminated in Q1 alongside Hamilton were Alex Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, Nicholas Latifi and Yuki Tsunoda.
The session was interrupted by an early red flag, after Latifi crashed on turn 13 at 106mph.
Tsunoda, meanwhile, also finished without a time after issues with his AlphaTauri.
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