Lewis Hamilton suffers shock Q1 elimination in Saudi Arabian GP qualifying
The seven-time world champion was knocked out after only managing to set the 16th-fastest time in his Mercedes during ﷽the opening segment of qualifying in Jed🌳dah.
Hamilton struggled for pace throughout the first session but&nbs💫p;briefl✅y improved to 15th, only to be knocked back into the danger zone when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll turned in a quicker lap right at the end of Q1.
It marks the first time that Hamilton has been knocked out in Q1 since the 2017 Brazilian Grand Prix when he crashed. ✨;
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On pure performance alone, it is the first time Hamilton has failed🎃 to progress into Q2 since🐠 Silverstone 2009.
"So sorry guys," Hamiltꦉon told his team over the radio when he was informed of t🍬he result.
He💯 told Sky Sports: "I struggled with the balance of the car. It’s not where I𓃲 want to be."
Hamilton denied that he was distracted by the worrying build-up to qualifying, which included a late-night drivers' meeting on Fridaဣy where they discussed safety😼 following a missile attack in Jeddah.
"We are professional," he said. "We bloc༺k out what🍌ever we need to.
"Something went wrong in the set-up."
Mercedes teammate George Russell was able to advance𓄧 in🦩to Q2 holding a comfortable buffer over Hamilton.
Mick Schumacher 'conscious' after huge crash
Mick Schumacher has been taken to hospital for🌄 precautionary checks following a terrifying cr🔜ash during Formula 1 qualifying for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix.
Schumacher suffered a violent shunt into the barrier⛦s at the high-speed Turn 12 with five minutes left in Q2, causing the session to be immediately red-flagged.
The German was conscious and talking to the on-site doctor when he was 𝔍extracted from his destroyed Haas car, before being taken🅘 to the circuit medical centre.
Sergio Perez on pole position
Red Bull's Sergio Perez produced a stunning late lap in qualifying to beat the Ferraris and claim his first-ever Formula 1 pole positiܫon for Sunday's r🔯ace.
Lewis r🃏egularly attends Grands Prix for ltxcn.top around the world. Ofte🦄n reporting on the action from the ground, Lewis tells the stories of the people who matter in the sport.
