Lewis Hamilton has claimed his run to fourth in the Canadian Grand Prix was littered with mistakes and stood out as “one of the worst races I’ve driven” in Formula 1.
Despite his Mercedes team-mate George Russell edging him to a podium place with a late overtake, Hamilton managed to register his best result of 2024 in Canada.
The Briton rued positive practice pace eluding him when it counted and starting seventh proved detrimental as he spent the nascent stages behind Fernando Alonso.
But Hamilton got past the Aston Martin during the pit stops under a Safete Car and then capitalised on a clash involving Russell and Oscar Piastri at the final chicane.
However, Russell would utilise his gripper Medium rubber to reel Hamilton back in and dived down the inside at Turn 14 to clinch Mercedes’ maiden podium this term.
Asked whether he was more upbeat post-race, Hamilton said: “I’m not really much different. It was just over the weekend, just a really poor performance from myself.
“Yesterday, some other things came into it yesterday, but mostly myself, and then today, just one of the worst races that I’ve driven.
“Just lots of mistakes, but of course, if I qualified better, I would have been in a much better position, so it is what it is. I will go back to the drawing board.”
Expanding upon the reasons for his negative assessment of his showing, Hamilton touted that his low starting berth prevented him from having a chance at the win.
“I think this weekend the car was capable of winning,” he admitted. “That’s why it’s not such a great feeling, but we’ll take the points and keep moving, keep trying.”
Hamilton harboured encouragement from the renewed competitiveness Mercedes showed in Canada, though, with Russell having started the race from pole position.
“On the positive note, big, big thank you to everyone back at the battery for progressing this car, because it is becoming a car we can fight with,” he continued.
“That’s a real positive going into this next part of the season.
“I know we’ll have hopefully some more upgrades coming along the way, so it’s going to be a close battle, and if I get my head on right, I’ll get better results at some stage.”
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