Lewis Hamilton was downbeat after Friday apply for the F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, admitting he’s “simply seeing if I can get within the prime 10 in the intervening time”.
Hamilton struggled for tempo in Friday apply on the Jeddah Corniche Circuit.
Hamilton might solely set the Thirteenth-fastest time within the extra consultant second session.
The seven-time world champion was over six-tenths slower than Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc, who was fourth within the order.
Waiting for qualifying, Hamilton set an underwhelming goal to get into the highest 10.
“I don’t know mate. For me, I’m simply seeing if I can get within the prime 10 in the intervening time,” Hamilton mentioned.
Ferrari struggled extra on the delicate tyre in Friday apply.
After setting the quickest time of anybody on the mediums, Leclerc struggled to enhance initially on the softer rubber.
It was an analogous story for Hamilton, who discovered little time on the red-marked tyre.
“Not the best. I feel getting the tyres working right now was the difficulty for us,” Hamilton defined.
“It was nothing to do with the group however we had been struggling to get the tyres working.”
Can Lewis Hamilton repair his qualifying woes?
Qualifying has continued to be Hamilton’s Achilles’ heel because the begin of final 12 months.
Hamilton was annihilated by George Russell within the qualifying head-to-head in 2024, beating Russell simply 5 occasions throughout 24 races.
It was the primary time in his F1 profession since 2014, in opposition to Nico Rosberg, the place Hamilton was overwhelmed by a teammate in qualifying throughout a complete season.
In opposition to Leclerc in 2025, he’s solely overwhelmed him as soon as, out-qualifying him in Shanghai.
Primarily based on Friday apply, Hamilton may have little probability of beating Leclerc.
When requested in regards to the adjustments he could make to his Ferrari in a single day, Hamilton quipped that he often “goes backwards” on a Saturday, however given how low he was within the order in FP2, it could be tough to fall even additional again.
“Usually, Saturday goes backwards,” Hamilton added. “There’s not a whole lot of backwards for me to go from the place I’m. Hopefully in a single day we’ll make some enhancements to the automobile.
“There have been just a few bits by means of the session that felt good and simply once we get to the delicate tyres it’s not there. We are going to make some adjustments in a single day and hopefully come again stronger.”
