Lewis Hamilton expressed disappointment after a minor error at Turn 16 hindered his chance for a front-row start in the British Grand Prix, leaving him to begin the race from fifth position. The nine-time Silverstone winner indicated that prior to this mishap, he felt confident and comfortable with the car’s setup, highlighting a boost in performance following recent upgrades during the previous race in Austria.
During qualifying, Hamilton had initially shown promise alongside rival Charles Leclerc, but understeer in the final corner of his lap cost him valuable time, ultimately allowing Max Verstappen to claim pole position ahead of the McLarens. “I think right up until the last corner I was probably close to second on the grid but had a bit of understeer and just lost a tenth,” Hamilton explained to Sky Sports.
Despite the setback, Hamilton remains optimistic about the progress made not just in the car’s performance, but also in his rapport with his team, particularly with his engineer Riccardo Adami. Their collaboration has reportedly improved, leading to better communication about the car’s setup. Hamilton characterized his qualifying lap as enjoyable until the final corner mishap, stating that he was “much happier in the car.”
Acknowledging the challenges he faces in competing against the McLarens and Red Bulls, Hamilton is determined to leverage the incredible support from fans at Silverstone for a strong race. “When there’s a will, there’s a way, so I’ll give absolutely everything tomorrow,” he remarked, appreciating the enthusiastic crowd and his family’s presence at the event.
Hamilton’s journey with Ferrari continues to be a hopeful narrative, as he strives to overcome obstacles and capitalize on the progress made in recent races. His commitment to the race and connection with fans underscores a positive outlook for the upcoming competition.