The Minuscule Margin of Error That Robbed Lewis Hamilton of His First Pole of the 2022 Season

We’re back in Singapore after two years and F1’s original night race still promises high levels of excitement. Halfway through the weekend, the main event is yet to come and there are already signs of drama. The first bit of drama was during the qualifying sessions and Lewis Hamilton can take credit for some of it.

The Briton driving the third fastest car on the grid put his W13 exactly there on the starting grid, in P3. Although a P3 on the starting grid is a disappointing result for the Mercedes man, as the qualifying session could’ve ended with pole position for Hamilton.

The Mercedes man finished the thrilling qualifying session with just half a tenth behind both the cars in front. In the post-qualifying analysis, former driver Anthony Davidson points out exactly where Hamilton lost the precious time.

“On the run-up to turn 16, he just locks the inside front here and that runs him out wide. We did see on Max’s lap and Charles Leclerc’s pole lap that they were taking the kerb fully in this corner. What this lock-up means is that it just runs him out oh so wide to the white line on the exit, compromises the line around 17.”

“It’s a scrabble for him to get back on power and to get the car back in check,” Davidson explained.

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One minuscule mistake changed Hamilton’s position from P1 to P3, behind Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez in the starting grid.

Without the error, Hamilton was on course to his first pole in the current season. Maybe it could’ve turned into his first win.

Lewis Hamilton gutted after the qualifying session, yet still grateful

The missed pole position is a frustrating aspect for the ambitious world champion. However, seeing where they’ve come since the beginning of the season, Hamilton is still grateful.

“I was just trying to squeeze out everything, and that is the closest hope I have had of getting a front row this year.”

“To be a half a tenth off, there was definitely half a tenth out there on track and it is gutting in one sense, but I am grateful in another,” he said.

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The Mercedes man could manage the pole. However, a second-row start and it’s all to play for in the race for Hamilton.