P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton misery compounded after Qatar pit-lane start announced
Lewis Hamilton faced a difficult start at the Qatar Grand Prix weekend, finishing 18th in the sprint qualifying session and ultimately having to start from the pit-lane for Saturday’s sprint race at the Lusail Circuit, ending hopes of scoring points.
Hamilton’s decision to start from the pit-lane was matched by Lance Stroll and Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto due to setup changes resulting in grid penalties.
Despite the setback, Red Bull’s Liam Lawson opted to remain on the grid after being knocked out in Q1, weighing performance gains against penalties.
Following a disappointing qualifying performance, Hamilton expressed his frustration in a brief interview, highlighting the challenges faced during the sprint qualifying session.
The Qatar GP proved challenging for Hamilton, who will need to navigate the sprint race from the pit-lane alongside other drivers also penalized for setup changes.
