Lewis Hamilton expressed his happiness with Ferrari's impressive qualifying performance at the Austrian Grand Prix. For the first time in a while, the Mercedes driver saw the Italian team working as a united front and delivering a strong result that could shake up the grid. Hamilton's own qualifying was promising, and he now looks forward to the race with cautious optimism, hoping this momentum will bring him closer to a long-awaited podium finish.
Ferrari’s Strong Performance Raises Expectations
Ferrari brought new upgrades to the Spielberg circuit, especially a new floor designed to improve car performance. Although the team experienced some difficulties during practice, their efforts paid off in qualifying, with Lewis Hamilton securing a spot on the second row and his teammate Charles Leclerc on the front row. Hamilton praised the teamwork and the progress made by Ferrari, highlighting that the improvements have closed some of the gap to the leaders.
“It's a fantastic result,” Hamilton said after qualifying. “Our team worked very hard last week to bring better parts, and it seems to be paying off. We’ve made good progress, especially compared to yesterday, when we were quite a bit further behind.” Hamilton explained that they managed to close a gap of up to nine-tenths of a second from their previous performances, which is a significant improvement for a team battling for podiums and wins.
Challenges and Hopes for the Race
Despite the positive qualifying, Hamilton was quick to temper expectations. He acknowledged that his last lap could have been better, and he believes there is still work to do to challenge the leaders. “I think I could have improved my final lap, but overall, I am happy with how we performed,” he said. “Our car feels better in qualifying, and that gives us hope for the race tomorrow.”
Hamilton remains realistic about his chances, aiming for a good result rather than promising a podium just yet. He mentioned that Mercedes has been working hard to improve handling and reliability, and he is eager to see if these upgrades will hold through the race. “We need to stay focused and avoid making mistakes,” he said. “The key will be to keep the car consistent and stay out of trouble.”
Hamilton also shared his thoughts on the overall team dynamics. “There’s a lot of positive energy in the team right now,” he noted. “We are working well together, and everyone is pushing hard. If we keep this momentum, we can fight for better results in the coming races.”
As for his personal goal, Hamilton is cautious but hopeful. “I’ve been close many times, and I believe this year I can finally get that long-awaited podium,” he added. “I don’t want to jinx it by talking too much about wins, but I will stay focused, do my best, and see what happens.”
Fans are watching eagerly, as this is a promising sign that Mercedes might be getting closer to the front once again. With better qualifying performances and reliable race pace, Hamilton’s team could be on the move. The Austrian GP promises excitement, and fans hope that Hamilton’s steady progress will culminate in a much-deserved top finish soon.
