SKY SPORTS were forced to apologise after Lewis Hamilton swore on live TV following disappointment at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 39-year-old was eliminated in the first qualifying session in Shanghai.

Lewis Hamilton let out his frustration after a poor Q1Credit: Splash

Hamilton will start from 18th in ShanghaiCredit: Splash
Hamilton finished in an underwhelming 18th after a blunder saw him go too wide around a corner.

Speaking after his qualifying nightmare, he told Sky Sports: “I just struggled – it is what it is

“This morning, George [Russell] and I had very similar cars but this afternoon, we are trying to experiment still with car.

“So I went one way, a long way, and he went the other way, just to see if we could find anything.

“But yeah, it didn’t work. I’ll give it my best shot – 18th is pretty bad.

“When I was making the setup changes I was like ‘it can’t get any worse, surely’.

“And it did. S**t happens.”

Sky Sports’ David Croft apologised for his bad language immediately.

Hamilton’s poor Q1 result was called a “disaster” and “seriously painful” by former world champion Nico Rosberg.

It came after Hamilton finished second in the earlier Sprint race to earn Mercedes seven points.

After the Sprint, he said: “Every time I have come here the crowd has been so, so supportive.

“That’s the best result I’ve had in a long time. I am super happy and grateful.

“Of course, we couldn’t fight the Red Bulls but this is a huge step and improvement.

“I found out a lot about the car in this short stint for the race, so I’m excited for tomorrow.

“We are still not as quick on a single lap as the Ferraris, Red Bulls and McLarens and perhaps the Aston Martins.

“I don’t anticipate we will fight for the front row, but hopefully we will have a better qualifying session than we have had in the past.”

Verstappen went on to clinch pole position and has become the first driver to start the opening five races of the season from the front since Mika Hakkinen in 1999.

Red Bull’s Sergio Perez will be behind the Dutchman in second on the grid.

Fernando Alonso sealed third in his Aston Martin.

McLaren’s Lando Norris is in fourth and Hamilton’s team-mate Russell will begin from eighth tomorrow.