Il Nuovo Postiglione - Crestfallen Hamilton hits new low with Q1 exit 

The seven-time world champion qualified in 16th place on the grid for Sunday’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where has taken pole five times and won the race five times, but appeared crestfallen as he faced reporters after the session.

He had crashed earlier in the day during final free practice when he spun off into the barriers and damaged his car.

Asked how he was feeling, the 40-year-old Briton told Sky Italia that he could not describe his feelings.

"I don’t have the words to describe how I feel inside," said Hamilton.

"An unbelievable amount of anger and rage. Yes, not really much I can say about it."

His Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc qualified fifth after making radical changes to his car's set up during qualifying.

"I went for it and it was either going to be fast or I would crash," he said. “So I am happy that I managed to stay on the track!"

Hamilton also has the unwanted record of being the first Ferrari driver to go 23 races without a podium finish – and will almost certainly extend that run to 24 on Sunday at one of his favourite venues, the Yas Marina Circuit.

The only consolation is that last year, while still racing for Mercedes, he also started in 16th and finished the race in fourth.

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M.Dodaro--INP