LEWIS 'GUTTED' BY IMOLA WOES

EWIS Hamilton admitted he was “devastated” after suffering an early exit from his first qualifying session as a Ferrari driver on home soil.

- SCOTT HUNT

The seven-time world champion could qualify only 12th for today’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix after the Scuderia's disappointing start to the season reached a new low at Imola.

Hamilton was unable to find a time in the closing stages of Q2 as both he and team-mate Charles Leclerc in 11th were knocked out.

The 40-year-old is a massive 90 points adrift of championship leader Oscar Piastri after six races while Ferrari, who were expected to contend for the title this season, are 152 points behind McLaren.

Hamilton had spoken of excitement and expectation ahead of his first race weekend for Ferrari in Italy but was left with bitter disappointment.

"Definitely devastated and gutted I guess,” Hamilton said. “The car was genuinely feeling pretty good. I felt like the car set-up was right but we just can’t go quick enough.