P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton has said he is not sure “exactly what went wrong” after missing out on the front-row for the 2026 F1 Monaco GP.
Lewis Hamilton expressed uncertainty about what went wrong after missing the front-row for the 2026 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. Ferrari, the pre-favorite, fell short in securing pole. The SF-26’s low-speed performance was supposed to give Ferrari an edge. However, by Q3, both Hamilton and Leclerc lost pace, leaving Antonelli and Verstappen on the front-row. Despite starting third, Hamilton found his qualifying effort a step back from Friday’s performance.
Hamilton attributed his setback to inexplicable balance issues with the SF-26. He struggled to understand why the car behaved differently in Monaco. Nonetheless, Hamilton managed to salvage a result but admitted he was puzzled by the car’s behavior. Although disappointed, Hamilton appreciated the effort he put in given the circumstances. Hamilton aimed to convert his starting position into a podium at the Monaco Grand Prix, optimistic despite challenges with the Mercedes car.
