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Lewis Hamilton reveals a startling decline in confidence during qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix, triggered by Ferrari's unexpected performance shift. This revelation highlights how a single night can alter a driver’s fate in a key race.
Hamilton's struggle stems from an unexplainable change in the Ferrari SF-26’s handling between practice and qualifying. After showing strong pace in FP1 and FP2, expectations soared. However, on Saturday, Hamilton sensed a fundamental shift, impacting his rear-end stability and forcing him to adapt instead of attack during Q1.
Ferrari opted against major setup changes, believing the car's balance was solid. Yet, Hamilton found the rear grip he relied on had vanished, leading to a disrupted qualifying build-up. Incremental adjustments during the session helped, but the damage to his confidence was already done.
Hamilton candidly expressed his frustration, stating, "It's all about confidence. I didn't have it, it was completely gone in Q1." Although he managed to secure third on the grid, the psychological toll of the sudden change overshadowed his performance. Meanwhile, rivals like Mercedes and Red Bull continued to push the limits, leaving Hamilton in a challenging position as the race approaches.
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