An “absolutely furious” Lewis Hamilton described his performance in qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix as “completely unacceptable”.
Hamilton, fastest in two of the three practice sessions this weekend, believed he was a contender for pole position at Monza but said he only had himself to blame after limping to sixth.
“I am furious, furious, absolutely furious,” said Hamilton. “I was expecting to do a better job than I did. I could have been on pole or at least on the front row but I just didn’t do the job.
“It was absolutely ridiculous from my side and completely unacceptable. I have no-one to blame but myself.”
George Russell qualified third and now leads his Mercedes team-mate 12-4 in qualifying this season.
“Qualifying has been my weakness for a minute now and I can’t figure it out,” said Hamilton, 39. “I’ll keep trying. I have got to figure out how to get back to my old self.
“The chance of fighting for a win is out of the window. I will probably be kicking myself over the next couple of hours but I have got to move forward.”
Hamilton’s underwhelming display arrived on the same day it was confirmed that he will be replaced by highly-rated teenager Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes next season.
Hamilton is ending his 12-season stay with Mercedes to join Ferrari.
“The car has been feeling so much better than the last race and the team deserve better, added Hamilton. “Maybe they’ll get that with Kimi.
“I knew it would be announced this morning but it was very surreal to see it confirmed that my seat is officially going. It was quite emotional but I am happy for Kimi and this team.”
