Lewis Hamilton admitted to being “extremely frustrated” after missing out on the front row of the Formula 1 Hungarian GP. The Briton was just 0.012s off pole position, but will start fifth after receiving a three-place grid penalty.
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The seven-time champion arrived at qualifying as one of the favorites at the Hungaroring and was looking for his tenth pole at the circuit, a feat no driver has achieved on a single track. Lando Norris, however, secured first position by a minimal margin, before Hamilton was penalized for impeding Oscar Piastri at the start of the Australian’s last flying lap.
The decision extended a difficult run for the Ferrari driver, who has been penalized in each of the last three GPs. “Sometimes you just can’t catch a break. It was another weekend where I felt really good during all the sessions, but then everything fell apart. Going from so close to pole to starting fifth is extremely frustrating,” Hamilton wrote on social media.
The Briton explained that he tries to maintain a positive attitude, but acknowledged the weight of recent events. “I always do my best to stay positive. Sport is made of ups and downs, but it is also decided in the details. Every point counts and you need to take every opportunity. After three penalties in three weekends, it’s getting hard to maintain that positivity,” he stated.
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Despite the disappointment, Hamilton emphasized that the penalty does not erase the progress shown by Ferrari. According to him, the car improved throughout the weekend and maintained a competitive level at the Hungaroring. “I won’t let the setbacks detract from the progress we are making as a team. With the pace we have, I hope we can achieve something in the race. The car has been getting better and better and we were competitive all weekend,” he assessed.
Hamilton concluded the message by reinforcing that Ferrari will continue to work to maximize their possibilities this Sunday. “We will continue to work hard together to give ourselves the best possible chance. I always like this track, so keep the faith and send good energy for the race,” he added.
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View this photo on InstagramA post shared by Lewis Hamilton (@lewishamilton)
