One need look no further than the official post-qualifying photo-op to get the picture.

As Daniel Ricciardo, having taken the first pole position of his F1 career, grins from ear to ear, Lewis Hamilton, shades firmly in place, stand motionless, his expression completely blank bar the slightest trace of a scowl.

Having set a blistering pace in Q2, as Q3 got underway he ground to a halt in the pitlane, his crew having to rescue him and his stricken car.

He was soon back on track again, and having posted his 'banker' lap set about improving however, but now, having previously enjoyed a clear track, he was encountering traffic in the form of rivals on their out laps. Clever strategy saw the Briton hold off whilst his rivals attempted to improve before he too went for it. However, having improved to third overall, a final do-or-die lap was aborted as the Briton clearly lost confidence in the car beneath him.

"It's hard to find the words right now," he admitted. "I was the quickest out there today, but unfortunately the problem at the start of Q3 meant I couldn't use that pace.

"I did my best with the lap that I had and I'm really pleased with that," he continued. "My final attempt was what should have been my banker lap, so at least I'm starting third when it could have been tenth."

That was the official version, as sanctioned by Mercedes.

However, as the German team revealed that both drivers had suffered fuel pressure problems, speaking directly to the media the Briton was a little more forthright.

"It's not a great feeling right now," he said. "I'm just trying to keep myself together. We're getting further and further into the championship and having more and more problems. This is becoming a norm for me.

"The good thing is we did get out to set a lap, so it wasn't as bad as some other qualifying sessions have been. Pole was there for the taking I think, but nonetheless I will do my best to salvage what I can tomorrow. You can't overtake here so unless there is a safety car or rain or something I don't know what will happen…"

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by audifan, 29/05/2016 9:25

"why the misleading title to the article ?
hamilton CLAIMS ????
that's not a claim , it's a statement of fact "

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2. Posted by denithy, 29/05/2016 2:19

"I feel so sorry for Lewis, with his run of bad luck.

And unfortunately, I still think he is the only real consistent competition that Rosberg has, and I don't like the idea of a championship that's so far gone already. "

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3. Posted by scf1fan, 28/05/2016 22:40

"Once again (and so far this weekend) a very good recovery by LH. I'm sure his level of frustration must be high, but I would look at it a bit differently if I were him. Despite his travails, he is still with reasonable reach of the title. And he proves with every race that he has the skills, and most of the time, the car to do so.

I don't quite get the continued bemoaning that "you can't pass at Monaco" . . . No one says it's easy, but they have passed in the past and will in the future. LH only has to pass 2 other drivers to win this race, and there would be 7 points back in his column at the minimum; with plenty of races to go. That will be stupendously easier than the 9 that it looked like it might be. He just has to make sure that he picks the right time to do it, if he can."

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Problems are becoming the norm, claims Hamilton

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