Saudi Arabia Grand Prix: F1 fans in shock at Lewis Hamilton qualifying performance

Lewis Hamilton has failed to make Q2 and will start in the 16th position at the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. Hamilton is one of the most well-known drivers in the world.

Because he did not make the second round of qualifying, Hamilton will start in the 16th position on the grid, which puts him at a significant disadvantage to start the Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

With F1 back in full force, Hamilton and Max Verstappen are the two most well-known drivers in the sport. Hamilton’s early failure gives Verstappen and the rest of the field a huge edge.

F1 qualifying explained

The following, per FanSided’s Alicia De Artola, sums up the Formula 1 qualifying experience quite well.

"“Formula 1 uses a knockout qualifying system.All 20 F1 drivers participate in the first period, called Q1, with each trying to set the fastest time possible. Those in the top 15 move on to the next period of qualifying, called Q2. The five slowest drivers are eliminated and will start the race in the last five positions on the grid.Q2 is slightly shorter but follows the same format. Drivers try to put down their best times to move on to Q1 as one of the 10 fastest cars. The five outside of the top 10 are eliminated and start the race from 11th to 15th based on their best lap time.Q1 lap times determine pole position and the order of the front 10 positions on the grid. The slowest driver in Q1 starts 10th, the next starts ninth and so on.Penalties for infractions or changing components in the car are applied at the end of qualifying.”"

Lewis Hamilton fans in utter shock

F1 fans are in shock that Hamilton has been knocked out of qualifying this early. The last time Hamilton suffered this fate due to his own doing (rather than a penalty or crash) was 2009.

https://twitter.com/wtf1official/status/1507771285581053952

https://twitter.com/ESPNF1/status/1507771046933454848

https://twitter.com/LukeSmithF1/status/1507771050863599617

https://twitter.com/justt_ale/status/1507773084480196608

https://twitter.com/cjzer0/status/1507771822737182723

https://twitter.com/BigE_NBA/status/1507771709197373444

There were many more where that came from.

How fast do F1 cars go

F1 cars typically reach a top speed of around 225 mph.

How much does an F1 car cost

F1 cars cost over $12 million, if not more.