Hamilton Expresses “Anger and Rage” After Shocking Abu Dhabi Qualifying Exit

Lewis Hamilton has voiced “anger and rage” following a disappointing qualifying session at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, marking his third consecutive Q1 elimination this season. The seven-time Formula 1 champion will begin Sunday’s race from a challenging 16th position on the grid, while his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc secured a fifth-place start.

This latest setback casts a shadow over Hamilton’s first season with Ferrari, as he trailed Leclerc by 0.231 seconds in the initial qualifying stage. Should Hamilton fail to secure a top-three finish in the upcoming race, it will be the first Formula 1 season in his illustrious career without a single podium appearance, a significant milestone for the veteran driver.

“I don’t have the words to describe the feeling that I have inside,” Hamilton told reporters after the session. He added, expressing deep frustration, “An unbearable amount of anger and rage. There’s not really much I can say about it.”

Currently sixth in the drivers’ championship, Hamilton trails Leclerc by 78 points. Millenium TV observed that his post-qualifying media interactions were notably brief, delivered in a quiet tone, reflecting a pattern seen throughout the latter half of a challenging season. When questioned about an immediate action plan for improvements, he simply stated, “Not at the moment.” Regarding the upcoming short winter break, which precedes the first pre-season test of 2026 on January 26, Hamilton commented, “Time will tell. It’s the shortest break.”

Earlier in the day, Hamilton experienced a crash in final practice, losing control of his car into Turn Nine. Explaining the incident, he later mentioned, “The car was feeling great, just had some bottoming and lost the back end,” indicating a technical issue contributed to his struggles.