Lewis Hamilton's dream of a fairytale debut season with Ferrari suffered a brutal reality check at the Temple of Speed, with the seven-time world champion enduring a qualifying nightmare at the Italian Grand Prix.
The Mercedes star could only manage a shocking 18th place on the grid at Monza, leaving him staring at a monumental challenge in Sunday's race. His teammate George Russell fared little better, qualifying a lowly 11th in a disastrous session for the Silver Arrows.
'It's been a disaster weekend,' a candid Hamilton admitted to Sky Sports F1. 'There's not a lot to take from it. It's one of the worst sessions I've had for a long, long time.'
In a revealing moment, Hamilton reflected on his dramatic winter switch to the Scuderia, set for 2025. 'It's surreal to think I'm going to be with Ferrari next year,' he confessed. 'It doesn't quite feel real at the moment, but I'm sure it will. I'm super excited for that chapter.'
Mercedes in Crisis as Rivals Shine
While Mercedes floundered, their rivals flourished. The session was dominated by the scarlet red cars of the Tifosi's dreams, with Carlos Sainz seizing a stunning pole position ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen. Charles Leclerc completed the top three, sending the Italian crowd into a frenzy.
The contrast between the jubilant Ferrari garage and the sombre Mercedes debrief could not have been starker, highlighting the immense challenge facing the Brackley-based team.
A Long Road Ahead at Monza
Starting from the depths of the grid, Hamilton faces a near-immediate task of simply escaping the Q1 elimination zone in the race. The high-speed nature of the Monza circuit offers few overtaking opportunities, setting the stage for a gruelling afternoon for the British icon.
All eyes will now be on Hamilton's race pace and strategy as he looks to salvage whatever points he can from a weekend that has already been written off. For Mercedes, the performance at Monza raises serious questions about the fundamental design of their W15 car with the 2024 season rapidly slipping away.
