Lewis Hamilton described the start of his final push lap in Q3 as “pretty shocking” after missing out on pole position for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix to Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Hamilton held provisional pole after the first Q3 laps – four-tenths clear of his opponents – but lost three-tenths of a second in the opening sector of his second effort.
Hamilton improved his overall time, but fell 0.059s short of the time set by team-mate Bottas, who vaulted from third to first to seal his second pole position in as many grands prix.
“Valtteri did an exceptional job, it’s a great result for us as a team,” said Hamilton.
“Coming here it didn’t look like we had the pace, race pace looked good but qualifying thought we might not be as close as we liked, but worked on the car. Improved it today.
“Unfortunately my first two corners were pretty shocking, I had a small moment in Turn 1 and then Turn 2.
“Already by Turn 4 I think I was three tenths down. I recovered that in the next two sectors but unfortunately it wasn't enough.”
Hamilton also expressed understanding for Charles Leclerc’s self-critical attitude in the wake of the Ferrari driver’s crash during Q2.
“That's how we're tuned as racing drivers, when it's your mistake we're tough on ourselves,” he said.
“Maybe a little bit less when you're older. But still it's painful. It's a lot of pressure around a track like this and on his young shoulders. It's totally normal.
“Years and years ago I didn't come out of my room for two or three days when I had some experiences like that.
“So I totally understand how he feels and that's cool he's open about it, because he can get it out and move forwards tomorrow."
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