Hamilton says W14 is 'more inconsistent than ever before' after Q2 exit
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For Lewis Hamilton, the 2023 season has been a tough one. The seven-time World Champion and the five-time winner of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was knocked out in Q2 during qualifying on Saturday, and he will start from P11 on the grid.
He may finish third in the drivers' standings, but it will be the second season in a row that Hamilton will not take a race victory. And, as the season draws to a close, he will be very happy to see the back of a W14 car that he has been quite critical of throughout the season.
Hamilton looking forward to racing without the W14
Speaking to GPblog and others at the Yas Marina Circuit after qualifying, the British driver said that the W14 is a "very unpredictable car but it's been the same all year.
"I wouldn't say that I'm relieved, but I'm definitely happy that it is nearly over. It [The W14] is just more inconsistent than ever before. It's just up and down a curved corner from the moment you hit the brakes, the moment you turn, and the moment you hit the apex. It's massively out of balance, and it's very hard to predict what's going to happen. The tyres were fine. It was just the car."
Hamilton then spoke about what he thought he could do from the race, starting in 11th position. "I did a little bit of a longer run this morning, but I only got four laps yesterday, so I wouldn't say I'm confident with the car during the race, too. I'll try and turn it around tomorrow if I can and see how far we can get."