LEWIS: EVERY SINGLE LAP WAS BAD
LEWIS HAMILTON bemoaned a “disastrous” session which saw him qualify two places behind teammate George Russell for today’s Sprint.
Mercedes had a driver on the podium in the last two events.
They want to make it a hat-trick of top three finishes in Spielberg this weekend but first have a Sprint race to negotiate.
Hamilton will start that shortform race from sixth place and cut a frustrated figure as he reflected on a messy qualifying.
He said: “I wasn’t in the mix at all, our whole session was pretty disastrous from our side. What can I say? Practice was good and the car generally felt good, but I don’t think we had the pace to get pole. But, yeah, very bad laps, every single one of them.”
The seven-time F1 champion wrote off his chances of a significant points haul from the Sprint and is instead eyeing a better starting slot for tomorrow’s main event.
He added: “I don’t think overtaking is mega here, but we’ll do our best. It’s usually not such an eventful race, so I think the focus will be mostly on getting a better qualifying.” Russell was much happier with how his day went, having gone slower only than pole-sitter Max Verstappen and the two Mclarens.
He said: “P4 is still a great place to be for tomorrow. We’re definitely fighting for the podium in the Sprint. Obviously, eyes are on the main race as that’s the most important, but it’s validation again that we’re in this mix now, probably ahead of Ferrari at the moment. Mclaren still seem to be a small smidge ahead.” Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was disappointed with the team’s results and admitted: “We thought we could play for pole but Verstappen was just much too quick.”
Mclaren have been the main rivals to Red Bull in recent weeks and will have both their cars in Verstappen’s rear view mirrors at the start of the Sprint.
Lando Norris will join the Dutchman on the front row and, declared himself in a “good position” to fight for victory.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc had to settle for 10th on the Sprint grid after an issue in the pit lane meant he did not reach the start line in time to record a lap in SQ3.