1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill believes Ferrari’s efficiency on the Belgian Grand Prix was “encouraging” after introducing their newest improve.
Ferrari launched a brand new rear suspension improve for the race at Spa-Francorchamps.
It allowed Charles Leclerc to choose up his fifth podium of the yr, beating Max Verstappen to 3rd place on Sunday.
It was a shock as Leclerc completed nicely behind the main trio within the dash race.
Talking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Hill felt Ferrari’s improve “clearly” had an affect.
“I believe so. I believe it’s encouraging,” Hill mentioned. “They’ve made some adjustments that Lewis didn’t appear to really feel made any distinction. They’ve performed one thing to the rear suspension.
“Clearly the Ferrari was a bit of bit higher. The very fact it certified up there in third and a bit of bit nearer to McLarens than possibly prior to now must be encouraging for them however it’s such a troublesome automobile. You possibly can inform. They’re not snug these guys.
“You’d put cash on Max getting via. He did a implausible job there within the Ferrari. He might use that automobile to maintain himself forward of Max.”
Hamilton’s final tempo unclear
It was a harder weekend for Lewis Hamilton on the opposite facet of the Ferrari storage.
The seven-time world champion did not progress past Q1 in both qualifying session.
Nevertheless, a well timed change onto the intermediates propelled Hamilton up the order into seventh.
Williams’ Alex Albon halted Hamilton’s progress past seventh.
Nonetheless, it was a powerful restoration drive by Hamilton, who began from the pit lane.
“Lewis, I believe as soon as he acquired into the groove with it he might do one thing with that automobile,” Hill added. “He was unlucky he didn’t get via to Q3. We by no means actually noticed his final tempo.
“Charles might preserve forward of Purple Bull, although. That’s a Purple Bull with upgrades with Max Verstappen driving at Spa.”
