Mechanical failure hinders Hamilton

By on Saturday, November 2, 2013
Mercedes AMG Petronas

Mercedes AMG Petronas

Lewis Hamilton believes a mechanical failure during Q3 cost him a shot at a front row start for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Hamilton was on a hot lap when his Mercedes snapped sideways exiting turn 13 and pitched him into a spin.

Hamilton had set the fourth fastest time prior to the mechanical problem.

"Fourth place feels pretty good this evening considering the time was set on my first Q3 lap," he said.

"Unfortunately on my second lap it looks like something gave way at the back of the car as I got on the power at the chicane and it just snapped out, which forced me into a spin."

"It was a great lap and might just have been enough to get us onto the front row as I was fourth-tenths up on my first effort but these things happen. The car felt really strong today so we'll hope for a good start and then challenge to make up some positions in the race tomorrow."

"The good thing is that we are ahead of Ferrari and that's where we need to stay. I'm looking forward to tomorrow and hope we can get a good result."

Team-mate Nico Rosberg will start from third place.

"It's great to have another positive Saturday for our team," he said.

"Again we are the best of the rest which is our aim for the weekend and starting from P3 and P4 are great positions for us to score lots of points in the Constructors' Championship. My last lap in Q3 wasn't great today but there was only a small chance to improve my time anyway. Mark [Webber] and Seb [Vettel] were just too quick today for me to get on the front row but I'm confident that we can have a good race from here tomorrow."


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