Lewis Hamilton blamed himself for a “horrible” Spanish Grand Prix after he completed sixth in Sunday’s race.
Hamilton loved his joint-best qualifying on Saturday and began fifth however rapidly got here underneath stress from Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, and let him via after simply 9 laps.
The Ferrari driver then ran in a lonely fifth till a sluggish second pit cease put him on the backfoot in his combat in opposition to former Mercedes team-mate George Russell and dropped him to sixth.
A Security Automotive for Kimi Antonelli retiring gave Hamilton a late alternative to make up floor however he was overtaken by the Sauber of Nico Hulkenberg.
“Effectively what would you like me to say? I’ve had a very unhealthy day and don’t have anything to say. It was a troublesome day,” despondent Hamilton advised Sky Sports activities F1.
“There’s nothing else so as to add to it. It was horrible. There is no level explaining it. It is not your fault. I simply do not know what to say.”
When advised whether or not the workforce can discover some solutions, he added: “I am certain they will not – it was most likely simply me.”
Hamilton hoped to face on the rostrum for the primary time as a Ferrari driver however as a substitute had “zero positives” to take from Sunday.
He stated: “I don’t know why it was so unhealthy. That was the worst race I’ve skilled balance-wise.”
Vasseur reveals Hamilton ‘had a difficulty’ in final stint
Hamilton’s race pace is normally a energy however he was clearly outpaced by Leclerc all through the 66 laps across the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and is now 23 factors behind his Ferrari team-mate within the championship.
Ferrari workforce principal Frederic Vasseur revealed Hamilton suffered an issue on the automotive earlier than the late Security Automotive however didn’t say what the difficulty was.
“You might be skilled sufficient to attract a conclusion after the primary phrases of the driving force,” he stated.
“If you wish to create a polemic, you possibly can. However it’s not the case. I feel he did 70 per cent of the race in entrance of Russell. I am undecided that Russell stated that the race was a catastrophe.
“However then we had a difficulty on the automotive the final stint, earlier than the Security Automotive. The end result will not be good, however he did 45 laps in entrance of Russell.”
Rosberg: Hamilton’s race was shockingly unhealthy
Hamilton has solely overwhelmed Leclerc as soon as this season within the races, which got here on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix final month.
Sky Sports activities F1‘s Nico Rosberg says “it is arduous to observe” his former team-mate battle.
“Sunday was a horrible day for him as a result of he was simply sluggish on the market, which could be very uncommon,” stated Rosberg.
“Sure, generally he is off in qualifying however in races he is normally actually superior and the race was shockingly unhealthy.
“He would not have solutions both. Was there harm on the ground? These flooring are so delicate and there can at all times be a bit there and also you lose numerous time.
“When you have no solutions, it is actually powerful as a driver then you definitely see your team-mate race their approach to third place on the rostrum. In gentle of the entire season he is had thus far, it is a very darkish scenario.”
The 2025 Formulation 1 season pauses for breath after the European triple-header earlier than resuming reside on Sky Sports activities F1 with the Canadian Grand Prix from June 13-15. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
