George Russell shows the way for Lewis Hamilton after Mercedes endure qualifying failure at Saudi Arabian Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton is struggling again as Formula 1 moves onto Saudi Arabia, but his failure to make an impression in qualifying is not necessarily as bad as it looks. The seven-time champion was only able to finish in 16th, the first time he had failed to break out of Q1 since the Brazilian Grand Prix back in 2017. Ad/> It’s fair to say, too, that Mercedes look to be facing their biggest troubles for at least half a decade.

Saudi Arabian Grand PrixVerstappen and Horner 'so pleased' for Perez after 'great job' earns pole2 HOURS AGO Since the teams first decamped to Barcelona for testing, it has been clear that Mercedes’ dominance is severely threatened. On current evidence, it is over. They could still win this year’s championship — who knows for sure at this stage of the season? — but it appears that they are no longer impregnable.

Given last season’s controversial race finale last year, Mercedes could have considered themselves the real champions, certainly the team that produced the car that was ultimately the most competitive had normal rules been strictly applied. Perez takes pole in Saudi Arabia as Hamilton's struggles continue with Q1 failure 'What a lap' — Red Bull's Perez delighted with first-ever pole at Saudi Arabian GP Verstappen and Horner 'so pleased' for Perez after 'great job' earns pole But regardless, there was a huge overhaul in regulations to come, and the normally perfectionist team of Toto Wolff, Hamilton and their engineers should have been ready. They were not.