Lewis Hamilton excels in Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying
Lewis Hamilton has hailed a brilliant qualifying session for the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, saying he is “much happier where the car is,” reports BritPanorama.
The British driver qualified in P2, finishing behind his old rival Max Verstappen, who secured his first pole position of the season. Hamilton’s performance comes after a challenging lead-up for Mercedes, as he now prepares for the race scheduled for 8am on Sunday.
Reacting to his second-place finish, Hamilton expressed gratitude for the support in Malaysia, stating, “I love this energy. Big, big thank you to Malaysia for welcoming us.” He acknowledged the heat as a significant challenge affecting tyre performance and vehicle handling.
Hamilton elaborated on the difficulties of the conditions, emphasizing, “It’s so hot here. I keep saying it, but that’s made it a massive challenge for the tyres, the car, the mechanics in the garage.” His team made adjustments through practice sessions before finding a competitive balance, closing the gap to Verstappen, who was notably quick throughout the weekend.
Looking ahead to the race, Hamilton noted, “I’m much happier with where the car is, but tomorrow is a completely different ballgame. Making these tyres last around this track – I mean, they’re overheating from the get-go.” He expressed determination to maintain pace with Verstappen, who performed well in long runs during practice.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur praised the qualifying session for his drivers, particularly noting Charles Leclerc’s P4 position. Vasseur remarked, “It’s a good qualy but the success is on Sunday, it’s never on Saturday,” highlighting the necessity of focusing on race strategy and tyre management for optimal performance.
He acknowledged the importance of starting strong, yet emphasized the unpredictability of race day compared to qualifying. Vasseur remarked, “On top, we know that this one will be a lot about degradation, about race pace, about tyre management much more than great position.” His comments reflected a pragmatic view of the challenges ahead.
As qualifying results settled, the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will line up in P5 and P6, respectively. Meanwhile, George Russell, the previous week’s Grand Prix winner, will start seventh, with Isack Hadjar in P8. Rounding out the top ten are Pierre Gasly and Gabriel Bortoleto, while Fernando Alonso begins in P12 after signing a new deal with Aston Martin.
The stage is set for an intriguing race in Bahrain, where strategy and tyre management are likely to play crucial roles. With a mix of fresh rivalry and seasoned expertise, the outcome remains uncertain, reminding fans that every race can deliver surprises.
