It was a disappointing start to the F1 Sprint weekend for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes, as the Brit was unexpectedly eliminated in the first segment of sprint qualifying at the Austrian Grand Prix.
The divisive F1 Sprint format returns for the race at the Red Bull Ring - the format sees two qualifying sessions, one which sets the race for the Grand Prix, and another shorter session to set the grid for a shorter race on Saturday afternoon.
Hamilton will line up in 5th for Sunday's GP, but the "sprint shootout" qualifying session went much worse for the seven-times world champion, who could only manage 18th place on Saturday morning.
After the conclusion of the session, Sky Sports F1 explored what had transpired for Hamilton to underperform so badly in sprint qualifying, with Anthony Davidson highlighting an incident which saw Hamilton clash with old rival Max Verstappen.
Speaking to Sky after quali, Hamilton played down his early exit, and threw a dig at the format of the F1 sprint weekend.
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F1: Hamilton and Verstappen clash at Austrian Grand Prix
Davidson used the onboard cameras of both cars to show how Hamilton had hindered one of Verstappen's flying laps in SQ1, as he slowed before the final corner to set up a lap of his own.
Having caught up to Hamilton, Verstappen ultimately pulled alongside the Mercedes, and his placement on the inside of turn one meant Hamilton was slowed as he began his flying lap.
A closer look at Lewis Hamilton's SQ1 exit 🔍 pic.twitter.com/D9qHeHn3In
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 1, 2023
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Both drivers seemed exasperated with each other, with Verstappen raising his hand as he pulled alongside Hamilton to complain about his pace through the final corner.
Defending F1 world champion Verstappen would ultimately take pole position (again) in Spielberg, meaning he will line up in P1 for both races this weekend.
Lewis Hamilton spoke to Sky Sports F1 after the session, and said that he was not bothered by the result of sprint qualifying, saying that the sprint race "doesn't really matter."
Lewis Hamilton is just focused on having fun from the back after a disappointing SQ1 exit 👇 pic.twitter.com/NbZ9ZHztkk
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) July 1, 2023
Hamilton said:
The sprint race doesn't really matter anyway. Today we'll just have some fun from the back. It is what it is, I don't really feel any way about it, to be honest. I wish I was still out there but not today.
There's nothing really to say. We'll focus on our job today, could have easily been much further up there. I'll just have a bit of fun at the back.
The F1 Sprint format has proved divisive since being introduced in 2021.
Though some of the races at which the sprint format has been trialled have thrown up action, such as at this track last year, or at Brazil in 2021, the vast majority of them have been uneventful affairs, and Hamilton has joined his Red Bull rival Verstappen in criticising the format.
Verstappen has stated previously that the increasing prevalence of F1 Sprint races is not his cup of tea, and may influence any future decisions on whether to stay in the sport.
The F1 Sprint race gets underway at 3:30pm Irish time on Saturday, with the full Grand Prix at 2pm on Sunday.
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