Lewis Hamilton: 'Slacking' led to F1 Russian GP qualifying error
Lewis Hamilton says he had been "slacking" in the Sochi Autodrom's second sector during Formula 1's Russian Grand Prix qualifying, which contributed to his error in the decisive final lap

Hamilton had led Mercedes Formula 1 team-mate Valtteri Bottas in all three practice sessions of the weekend, as well as the first two qualifying segments.
However, he was left 0.004s down on Bottas after the opening runs of the Q3 pole shootout, with the time gained on the Finn in sectors one and three not enough to make up for the quarter-second loss in the middle part of the lap.
Hamilton was once again significantly quicker than Bottas in sector one on his final attempt, but overshot the entry into the Turn 7 right-hander, running well wide and ruining his lap to qualify second behind his team-mate.
"I don't know where it really got away from me in Q3, but I struggled a little bit, and Valtteri obviously picked up quite a bit of pace," Hamilton said.
"I think [the] middle sector was really where I was slacking, but anyway it's great to have a 1-2."

Asked by Autosport whether the time he'd been losing in the second sector played a part in the mistake, he said: "Yeah, I think the middle sector I haven't been too bad through qualifying - Q1 was really good, and then Q2 wasn't so great.
"Just generally throughout the weekend it's been a bit up and down through that sector, but I've been quick in the first and third.
"The first lap in Q3, [I was] down three tenths in the middle sector but I was quickest in the first and last.
"So anyway I did push quite a lot because I knew also he would gain time, so it was not three tenths, it was like half a second I needed to improve.
"I just over-egged it a little bit. I think I picked up a little bit of dirt on my outside tyres and then there was less grip there for the next corner."
With Hamilton's chief title rival Sebastian Vettel qualifying a distant third, the Briton was not overly concerned at missing out on pole.
"Big congratulations to Valtteri, he did a great job in Q3," Hamilton said.
"It's been a really good weekend so far, honestly, really can't complain."

Previous article
Valtteri Bottas beats Lewis Hamilton to Russian Grand Prix F1 pole
Next article
Resurfacing front part of Sochi F1 grid 'wrong' - Sebastian Vettel

About this article
Series | Formula 1 |
Drivers | Jordan King , Lewis Hamilton |
Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Lewis Hamilton: 'Slacking' led to F1 Russian GP qualifying error
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001