Martin Brundle says ‘overperforming’ driver ‘caught out’ Lewis Hamilton at Dutch Grand Prix

Follow us on Google Discover

Lewis Hamilton was at the centre of the biggest upset in qualifying for the Dutch Grand Prix on Saturday. The Mercedes driver suffered a Q2 exit, leaving him 12th on the grid at best.

Hamilton went into the session as one of the favourites for pole position. He’d also won two of the last three Grands Prix, having inherited victory in Belgium before the summer break thanks to George Russell’s disqualification.

Russell had topped FP2, the only dry practice session at Zandvoort, and Hamilton was quickest on the first runs of Q1. But the pace of the W15 seemed to evaporate.

The seven-time world champion delivered a scruffy lap at the end of Q2 that saw him eliminated. Carlos Sainz, the man he’ll be replacing at Ferrari next year, was another big-name casualty in 11th.

To make matters worse for Hamilton, he’s under investigation for an incident with Sergio Perez in Q1. The Red Bull driver complained that he’d been impeded by the slow-moving Mercedes in the second sector.

Hamilton protested over the radio that he’d done all he could, but Perez said he’d been penalised for less. If the stewards deem it to be an offence, he may receive a three-place demotion.

Martin Brundle says Alex Albon caught out Lewis Hamilton and Carlos Sainz at Dutch GP

Speaking on Sky Sports F1 after the chequered flag in Q2, Martin Brundle suggested that the pace of Alex Albon in the Williams had caught Hamilton, and indeed Sainz, by surprise. Albon set the seventh-fastest time in that segment.

Williams have introduced a number of upgrades onto their car for this weekend’s race. Albon was the only driver who benefitted after Logan Sargeant’s FP3 crash ruled him out of qualifying.

The Thai driver went on to qualify eighth, his best Saturday result of the season. The two Aston Martin cars also reached Q3, as did Pierre Gasly in the Alpine.

“What’s caught out the likes of Sainz and Hamilton are, to an extent, overperformances by the likes of Alex Albon in the Williams,” Brundle said. “Both Aston Martins going a little bit better as well.

“Gasly too, up there in ninth. They’re not necessarily cars you would have expected to be in front of a works Ferrari and a works Mercedes.”

Lewis Hamilton hits back at ex-engineer over ‘lets himself down’ criticism

Hamilton was understandably optimistic during his media duties on Thursday. He’d beaten Russell in three of the last four qualifying sessions, suggesting he was finally getting on top of the car.

But the 39-year-old now trails this season’s head-to-head 11-4. Hamilton’s former engineer says Russell is ‘more mature’ in his use of data.

He also claimed that the 105-time race-winner doesn’t push flat out unless he thinks he can win the race. But Hamilton insists he’s been giving everything as Mercedes have toiled in F1’s ground effect era.

His Saturday struggles this season are certainly a surprise. Having impressed against the sport’s most successful driver, Russell now wants to take on Max Verstappen.