Austrian Grand Prix Qualifying Report: Hamilton’s Best Showing with Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton showcased his strongest qualifying performance with Ferrari, securing a fourth-place start for the Austrian Grand Prix. His teammate, Charles Leclerc, joins him on the front row, starting second alongside polesitter Lando Norris from McLaren.
Ferrari’s new floor contributed to improved qualifying performance, despite facing initial challenges during practice sessions. Hamilton noted a slight issue during his final lap, suggesting he could have contended for second behind Norris, but he expressed satisfaction with the team’s efforts to close the gap to rivals.
"It’s a fantastic result," Hamilton stated. "The team worked hard at the factory to deliver a new floor this weekend. We were significantly off pace yesterday, so it’s great to be closer now."
Hamilton reflected on his recent struggles, emphasizing the team’s operational improvements during qualifying. "This was our best operational day. The timing and information we received during the session were world-class," he added.
As he prepares for the race, Hamilton remains cautious about targeting a podium finish, having not secured one since switching from Mercedes. "I don’t want to jinx it. I just hope it won’t take as long as before to achieve that first podium with Ferrari," he stated, alluding to his last victory 945 days ago.
Team principal Fred Vasseur’s leadership continues to be scrutinized amid media rumors regarding team performance. However, Hamilton praised Vasseur for fostering a cohesive team environment during the challenging season.
The Austrian Grand Prix will be crucial for Hamilton and Ferrari to demonstrate ongoing progress and potentially secure their first podium of the season.
