For the eighth time since he joined Mercedes in 2013, Lewis Hamilton has been forced to start a grand prix from outside the top ten. On Sunday, the seven-time world champion will take the start of the Turkish Grand Prix in 11th as he looks to limit the damage amid his title fight with Max Verstappen. MotorsportWeek.com looks at the other occasions Hamilton took the start from outside the top 10.
Germany, 2014
Halfway through the 2014 campaign, F1 ventured to Hockenheim – however Saturday saw disaster for Hamilton, who crashed in Q2. A gearbox change relegated him back to 20th but on race day, Hamilton worked his way back onto the podium behind former team-mate Nico Rosberg and Williams’ Felipe Massa.
Hungary, 2014
Just one race after Germany, Hamilton found himself in further trouble. He failed to set a time in qualifying after his car caught fire, and took the start on race day from the pit lane. Amid a chaotic race, Hamilton progressed up to third, finishing behind race-winner Daniel Ricciardo and Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso.
China, 2016
Hamilton failed to set a lap time during qualifying at F1’s third round of the 2016 season, and lined up from the very last position on Sunday’s starting grid. A difficult race followed for the Briton, who ended the grand prix in seventh position, following first-lap contact.
Belgium, 2016
Hamilton took on a new power unit at the 2016 Belgian Grand Prix and was consequently sent to the rear of the field for the race start. He once again recovered to the podium, crossing the line behind Rosberg and Ricciardo.
Monaco, 2017
Hamilton struggled during qualifying at Monaco four years ago, and was left with it all to do on his final hot lap of Q2 – however after Stoffel Vandoorne crashed, Hamilton couldn’t improve his time and was forced to start from 13th on the grid. In the race, he made his way up to seventh by the chequered flag.
Brazil, 2017
Having arrived in Brazil in high spirits after winning his fifth world championship, Hamilton soon found himself in the barriers in the early stages of Q1. With a new engine fitted to his car, Hamilton powered his way to fourth on Sunday, behind Sebastian Vettel, Valtteri Bottas and Kimi Raikkonen.
Germany, 2018
Reliability issues sidelined Hamilton for much of Germany’s qualifying session in 2018, forcing him to 14th on the starting grid. However, what followed remains one of the most impressive drives of his career, as he took the chequered flag in first place, besting team-mate Bottas to the flag, while title rival Vettel slipped off the road in deteriorating conditions.
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