Disappointed With Mercedes Qualification Gap At The Belgian GP, Lewis Hamilton: We Will Continue To Be Disadvantaged In This Car

JAKARTA - Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton called his car speed gap that was too far away from Max Verstappen's Red Bull car which performed fastest in the Belgian Grand Prix qualifiers on Saturday, disappointing.

Hamilton will start the race from P4 after being promoted to the grid position due to an engine penalty awarded to Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Esteban Ocon.

Even so, the Briton could not hide his disappointment after his best lap of 1.8 seconds slower than Verstappen's best record in Q3.

"We arrived here very optimistic that we will be able to cut (gap to Red Bull and Ferrari)," Hamilton said.

"Half a second, who knows, but being 1.8 seconds behind is disappointing. But this is the truth. We will continue to be overwhelmed with this car and for sure I won't miss driving it at the end of the year."

Hamilton's current focus is on how to help Mercedes develop the car for next year after admitting both rival teams are at different levels.

Regarding the target at Spa, Hamilton said the top five would be pretty good. "But this car doesn't have speed for the top five this weekend, so still trying to keep it on track and seeing how it will turn out."

Verstappen pointed out Red Bull's dominant speed at the top of Q3 with a record of one minute 43.665 seconds, beating Carlos Sainz with a margin of 0.632 seconds.

The Ferrari driver inherited pole position from the Red Bull team's champion who had to withdraw to P15 because of a penalty related to engines and gimmicks, one position ahead of Charles Leclerc who was hit by similar penalties.

Hamilton's teammate George Russell predicts Verstappen will be able to rise to win in Belgium later.

"I think Max may still be winning the race," said Russell. "I don't know where he will start but with the speed he has he might still be able to win this race. And Charles too, he might still be able to go forward."