Lewis Hamilton's disastrous Las Vegas Grand Prix qualifying went beyond just him backing off and not pushing for a final Q1 effort - as another disappointment compounded what he says has been his "hardest year" in Formula 1.

The Ferrari driver was slowest in the first qualifying segment in Las Vegas to get dumped out of Q1 and will start Saturday's race from 20th on the grid.

Much has been made of Hamilton backing off at the end of Q1 rather than pushing on for a final effort, having got across the line just before the chequered flag.

However, while the opportunity may have been there to get another lap in, Hamilton reckoned that his pace was not strong enough for it to make any difference.

"I had a yellow flag in the last corner and, going into Turn 17, there was a yellow flag so I had to lift," he said.

"[When I] came across the line it was red [the lights above the starting grid]. But I didn't have the grip anyway, so I don't think it would have made much difference."

Hamilton's efforts had already been derailed by then in the frantic final minutes of the session when he hit a bollard which appeared to get stuck under his car and cost him pace during what would be his final push lap.