Hamilton perplexed after shock Q2 exit

Lewis Hamilton has said he is in the dark over the problems he faced with his Mercedes W08 which led to his shock Q2 elimination.

The Brit has struggled for pace since FP1 and was constantly wrestling with the car throughout qualifying, almost suffering a heavy crash at the exact same spot where Lance Stroll lost control on Thursday.

Hamilton was told on team radio he had “one more bite at the cherry” to reach the top-10 shoot-out, but that last effort was ruined when the yellow flags waved following Stoffel Vandoorne’s crash at the exit of the Swimming Pool section.

With all driver penalties accounted for, Hamilton will start P13 on the grid. But, he revealed in the paddock that he has no idea why his set-up is so wrong.

“I don’t know, I can’t pinpoint the problem. It’s disappointing,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1.

“It’s a little bit unfortunate with the yellow flag at the end. That lap may have got me into the top 10 but I think I’d have struggled to be in the top five. Valtteri’s lap shows we’re not terrible here so we need to know what happened.”

He added to Channel 4: “The opportunity was not there for me. I just struggled with the car. I don’t really know what to say at the moment. I’m deflated but will keep pushing tomorrow.

“That’s pretty much the weekend done. Tomorrow I will just be driving around in whatever position. I will try to get into the top 10 but it will be a nice Sunday drive I imagine.”