Lewis Hamilton Surprised by Ferrari’s Performance at Chinese Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton secured his first pole position for Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix, finishing ahead of Max Verstappen and his teammate Charles Leclerc. Despite a challenging debut in Australia, Hamilton expressed his surprise and excitement about the car’s performance. Leclerc acknowledged his difficulties, while Ferrari’s team principal highlighted the competitive nature of the season.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his astonishment at achieving his first pole position for Ferrari during the sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix. In this qualifying, Hamilton outpaced Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and secured a significant lead over his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who qualified fourth, and McLaren’s Lando Norris in sixth place. Hamilton, who faced challenges during his debut in Australia, noted that despite previous difficulties, he was pleasantly surprised by his car’s performance this weekend.
Hamilton qualified 0.208 seconds faster than Leclerc and 0.544 seconds quicker than Norris, placing him in an advantageous position for the sprint race scheduled for Saturday at 03:00 GMT. Following this, teams will have the opportunity to adjust their car settings before the main qualifying session. Hamilton remarked on the inspiration he derives from this achievement and his aim to further enhance his performance for the upcoming races.
Leclerc commented on his performance, acknowledging that he struggled to keep pace with Hamilton. He admitted feeling at a disadvantage and specifically noted challenges with the early turns of the track. Despite starting from fourth, he remains hopeful for a competitive race alongside Hamilton.
Oscar Piastri from McLaren finished third behind Verstappen, while George Russell in a Mercedes and Norris filled out the top six positions. Ferrari’s team principal, Frederic Vasseur, opined that the results illustrate the intense competition among the leading teams. He emphasized the difficulties teams face with tire management and set-up configuration, citing the variability in performance across different qualifying sessions.
In summary, Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected pole position for Ferrari marks a significant moment in the current season following his earlier struggles in Australia. With close competitors like Max Verstappen and McLaren’s drivers, the qualifying results indicate a highly competitive environment. Leclerc’s challenges highlight the importance of consistency within the team, while Ferrari’s management notes the ongoing complexities of tire performance. As the teams prepare for the sprint race, Hamilton’s performance sets a promising tone for future engagements.
Original Source: news.az
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