Lewis Hamilton to start Chinese Grand Prix in 18th after poor qualifying showing

The seven-time world champion locked up at the penultimate corner on his speediest lap, and he finished in the Q1 knockout zone.

POOR QUALIFIER: Lewis Hamilton went out in Q1. Pic: AP Photo/Andy Wong

Lewis Hamilton’s troubled start to the new season took another desperate twist on Saturday after he qualified a lowly 18th for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Hamilton earlier in the day had led the sprint race in Shanghai for eight laps before he had to settle for runner-up after he was overtaken by eventual winner Max Verstappen.