The Austrian Grand Prix is a race full of surprises, and this year, one of the biggest stories is about Lewis Hamilton's struggles during the practice sessions. Despite being one of the top drivers, Hamilton faced unexpected gearbox problems that made his first day on the track quite challenging.
Tough Start for Hamilton and Ferrari
On the first day of practice at Spielberg, Lewis Hamilton managed to complete only 20 laps. His team discovered a gearbox issue that prevented him from running more and gaining a better feel of the car. Meanwhile, his teammate Charles Leclerc did not participate in the first session, handing his Ferrari to a young driver from the Ferrari Academy named Dino Beganovic.
Beganovic managed to complete 32 laps without any major issues, testing both medium and soft tires and helping his team gather vital data for the race. Hamilton's limited running hurt his preparations, but he and his team worked quickly to fix the problem. The gearbox was replaced overnight, allowing Hamilton to complete some runs in the second practice session.
Insights into Performance and Future Plans
During the practice, Hamilton struggled to find the optimal lap time, finishing the session in 10th place. He commented that the gearbox issue in FP1 set him back a little, but the team managed to recover well by the second session. Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remains optimistic that they can improve their speed overnight.
He said, “We missed some running due to the gearbox issue, which affected our data. FP2 went smoother, but we’re still not where we want to be in terms of pace. We plan to work hard overnight to make the necessary adjustments.”
Ferrari also encountered challenges, mainly with its heavily-modified floor, which team members believe has not yet significantly improved the car's competitiveness. Lewis Hamilton noted that despite the changes to the car's floor, their overall pace remains far from the top contenders. The team recognizes that a tenth of a second could make a difference in such close competition, and they are determined to find gains before the race.
What Lies Ahead
As the teams prepare for the upcoming qualifying and race, the focus will be on maximizing the limited data from practice and making necessary adjustments. Hamilton expressed confidence in the team's ability to improve and hinted that the gearbox issue is a temporary setback. The Austrian Grand Prix remains unpredictable, with teams eager to turn their practice problems into positive results come race day.
This experience at Spielberg reminds everyone that Formula 1 is about resilience and quick problem-solving. Fans worldwide will be watching closely to see if Hamilton and Ferrari can bounce back stronger for the race.
