Lewis Hamilton’s first qualifying session as a Ferrari driver didn’t quite go as the British star had hoped, as he found himself starting from eighth position on the grid for the Australian Grand Prix. Overall, the Scuderia fell short of expectations, with Hamilton’s teammate Charles Leclerc qualifying just ahead of him. The tension was palpable on social media, with fans reacting to the unexpected turn of events – as seen in a tweet from DAZN Portugal, which showed Hamilton looking less than pleased.
During the crucial 12-minute battle for pole position at Albert Park, both drivers struggled to keep up with the pace set by the McLaren team. Leclerc was 0.659 seconds slower than the qualifying winner, Lando Norris, while Hamilton was 0.877 seconds off his compatriot’s pace. The gap was significant, and it was clear that the Ferrari duo had their work cut out for them. As Hamilton reflected on the qualifying session, he expressed surprise at the car’s lack of pace, but was pleased to have been able to stay close to Leclerc, who has a deeper understanding of the Ferrari.
As he spoke to the press, Hamilton seemed philosophical about the challenges he faced, saying, “I felt good overall, and I was comfortable on the track. Everything this weekend has been new for me – the first practices with Ferrari, the first qualifying session. I’ve worked hard to adapt, and this car is very different from what I’m used to, but it’s interesting.” He also acknowledged that there was still much to learn, particularly in terms of getting the most out of the car’s tools and characteristics. Despite the setbacks, Hamilton was heartened by his proximity to Leclerc, who has been with the team for seven years and has an intimate knowledge of the car.
Hamilton’s thoughts were echoed in his own words: “Certainly, I didn’t expect to be so far back, and we have a lot to analyze. I was happy to be close to Charles, though. He’s been with the team for seven years and knows the car incredibly well, not exactly this one, but in general, he knows its characteristics and how to use all the tools. I’m still learning, and being so close to him in my first qualifying session is definitely a positive. Now, we need to understand why we were so far off the pace.” As he looked ahead to the race, Hamilton knew that the challenge would only intensify, particularly if the predicted rain materialized.
The prospect of racing in the wet was a daunting one for Hamilton, who admitted that he had never driven the Ferrari in such conditions before. “Tomorrow’s race will be a challenge – I’ve never driven this car in the rain, and I don’t even know what the wet settings are, so I’ll have to study them tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll have a lot to learn again,” he said, his mind already focused on the task at hand. With the threat of thunderstorms looming, the FIA was even considering postponing the start of the race, which was scheduled for 5 am. The uncertainty only added to the sense of anticipation, as fans waited with bated breath to see how the drama would unfold in Melbourne.
As the teams and drivers prepared for the race, the atmosphere was electric, with the possibility of rain adding an extra layer of complexity to the already demanding Albert Park circuit. The stage was set for a thrilling encounter, and Hamilton, despite the challenges he faced, was ready to put up a fight. With his characteristic determination and grit, he was determined to make the most of his Ferrari debut, no matter what the weather threw his way. As the lights prepared to go out, the question on everyone’s mind was: could Hamilton and Ferrari turn their fortunes around and make a statement in the Australian Grand Prix? Only time would tell.
Key Takeaways
- Lewis Hamilton qualified eighth for the Australian Grand Prix, with teammate Charles Leclerc qualifying just ahead of him.
- Both drivers struggled to match the pace of the McLaren team, with Leclerc 0.659 seconds off the pace and Hamilton 0.877 seconds back.
- Hamilton expressed surprise at the car’s lack of pace but was pleased to have been close to Leclerc, who has a deeper understanding of the Ferrari.
- The British driver acknowledged that there was still much to learn, particularly in terms of getting the most out of the car’s tools and characteristics.
- The prospect of racing in the wet was a daunting one for Hamilton, who had never driven the Ferrari in such conditions before.