Japan's F1 GP Disbursed In Qualification, Lewis Hamilton Blames Mercedes

JAKARTA Lewis Hamilton blamed the concept of Mercedes F1 cars as the reason they were scattered in Japan's Formula 1 Grand Prix qualifiers today.

The Mercedes team car driven by Hamilton and George Russell can only complete the qualifications in seventh and eighth positions. Thus, both will start from the fourth row in Sunday's (24/9) race at the Suzuka Circuit.

Hamilton is one second behind pole position winner Max Verstappen, with most of the Mercedes deficit taking place in the first sector.

The seven-time world champion believes the Mercedes problem in the first sector is directly related to the concept of his car which he thinks needs to be changed for the 2024 season.

"Every weekend we have, from three days at least one bad day. The balance didn't feel good yesterday, we made some changes and did a good job overnight, and in general the car felt really good today. The car was good to drive through P3, so I feel much more confident," Hamilton said as quoted from the crash.

"Then in qualifying I gave everything except the seven-ten deficit we experienced in sector one, everything at the back. Our car has a lot of payload on the front and not as much as we need at the back."

"So we're still far from that and for me the concept is 100 percent clear and we have to make sure that we change it for next year, and hopefully we'll change that," added Hamilton.

This British racer emphasized that a big gap with other teams must be overcome to face next season. He said the changes made by Aston Martin's team this season could be a good example.

You can see what Astons did this year, so you can take big steps. You've also seen what McLaren did this year by taking the Red Bull route, they're now in front of us on a track like this. I just hope for a better race tomorrow," Hamilton said about his chances at the Japan F1 GP.