Lewis Hamilton Qualifies 18th at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton faced a disappointing end to his tenure with Mercedes, qualifying 18th for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix after a plastic bollard became lodged under his car, hindering his lap time. The incident occurred when Kevin Magnussen struck a bollard while moving off track, causing it to obstruct Hamilton's attempt to improve his position. Despite showing promise in earlier practice sessions, Hamilton was unable to advance past Q1, marking a somber conclusion to his time with the team. McLaren's Lando Norris secured pole position, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc struggled, having his fastest time deleted and starting from the back due to a penalty. Hamilton expressed frustration over the radio, stating, 'That was bad, man,' reflecting the challenges he faced during qualifying. As he prepares to join Ferrari in 2025, Hamilton's last race with Mercedes is set to be a tough uphill battle for a podium finish.