Lewis Hamilton, 11th on the grid in Abu Dhabi, still has a chance to end what Martin Brande described as a “shocking” win-less streak.
After winning six world titles in seven years and fighting for a record-breaking eighth place in 2021, neither Hamilton nor Mercedes expected their success there to plateau.
The British driver has not won a Grand Prix in his last two years as Mercedes’ leadership made a mistake in the new era of ground-effect aerodynamics, extending his win-less streak to his 44 races.
Lewis Hamilton only has one more chance…
This statistic shocked former F1 driver Brundle.
“Well, it’s still shocking that Lewis hasn’t won a race in two seasons,” the commentator told Sky Sports.
“He still has a chance this weekend, but he feels like he’s been in good form, especially in the second half of the season.”
Hamilton’s chances of finishing in Abu Dhabi were made dire after Saturday’s qualifying did not have enough pace to advance to the pole position shootout, missing Q3 by 0.1 seconds and finishing 11th.
Team boss Toto Wolff was frustrated at having to find an explanation yet again for Mercedes’ lack of performance.
“It didn’t go well. “Maybe it was in the car, but the expectations were higher,” Wolff told Sky Sports television.
“I’m tired of being told why things didn’t go well. We were good in the heat, not the cold. The last few days have been the opposite.
“This is the last qualifying of the season, and we’re going to come with a new car (in 2024).”
Hamilton is also happy with the rear of the W14.
“I can’t say I feel relieved,” he told media such as PlanetF1.com. “I’m really happy because it’s almost over.
“It’s more inconsistent than ever. It’s just up and down.
“In every corner, from the moment I hit the brakes, from the moment I turn to the moment I reach the apex,” my balance is so off. It’s very difficult to predict what will happen.”
“The tires were fine, it was just the car.”