Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
That was a tough evening and one that didn't go the way we had hoped. Firstly, we can only apologise to Lewis for his Q1 exit. Traffic is always a challenge here in Qualifying and something that you account for. Unfortunately, we didn't get it quite right. Both cars left the pit lane at the back of the queue; with overtaking in the tunnel not allowed, many cars ahead took the opportunity to form larger gaps to the car in front than usual. That left Lewis and George on the back foot and having to cut their way through traffic on the out lap to make the flag. They were then further compromised by having less than ideal gaps to the car ahead of them. All that said, both were on pace to make it through to Q2 before a loose bollard became stuck under Lewis's car at turn 14. That impacted him in the final few corners and, in an already tight session, cost him a couple of vital few tenths.
It is not the way we wanted to head into our final race day together. We will be doing everything we can tomorrow to enable Lewis to work his way back through the field. Fighting drives are an absolute speciality of his and we know he will be giving it his all to end our time together on a high.
On George's side, he has struggled pace wise a little more this weekend. We will need to evaluate why that is but, in the meantime, our focus is on trying to make gains tomorrow. Starting from P7 that will be tough. The field is close, and we know overtaking is a challenge here. Nevertheless, we will see what we can do and hope that we can finish the year more strongly than we did today.