Ferrari boss hints at motive behind Lewis Hamilton’s nightmare Hungarian GP F1 qualifying

Ferrari F1 group principal Frederic Vasseur instructed that tyre preparation on the out lap could have been a key issue behind Lewis Hamilton’s shock Q2 exit in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Hamilton endured one other nightmare qualifying session on the Hungaroring, leaving him twelfth on the grid for Sunday’s race.

It’s Hamilton’s worst qualifying on the Hungarian Grand Prix – a circuit he’s typically thrived at through the years.

Hamilton delivered an abject interview after qualifying, describing himself as “ineffective”.

Vasseur provided a extra upbeat outlook when reflecting on Hamilton’s struggles.

Talking to Sky Italia, Vasseur mentioned: “We all know that the out lap is essential.

“In case you lighten the tyres in Flip 1, you threat it on the finish of the lap otherwise you slide an excessive amount of.

“Hamilton went out in Q2, Charles was just some hundredths of a second away. Lewis was just some hundredths of a second away, however it’s at all times tough to handle the out lap. After all, he’s annoyed as a result of he solely missed the lap in Q2. It’s a disgrace.

“Now we have to be taught from this. The result’s OK, however we will’t relaxation on our laurels. Within the race simulation, we have been constant [and] much like McLaren. Let’s concentrate on ourselves, managing the tyres and developing with a great technique, and all the pieces will probably be high-quality.”

“Delicate” tyre window key to Leclerc pole

Charles Leclerc’s pole got here as a shock, as he narrowly made it into Q2.

It was an analogous story in Q3, with Leclerc behind each Aston Martins after the primary runs.

Vasseur famous the significance of getting the tyres into the right working window.

“We’ve at all times struggled to get the tyres into the proper temperature window this 12 months, and in Q2 we have been virtually out – we made it by by only a tenth,” he defined.

“In the long run, Charles managed to get the tyres in the proper window. It’s all very delicate – the hole between first and tenth is small. In the long run, we’re all proper on the restrict with the tyres.

“There have been plenty of ups and downs, however then we have been stronger than anticipated. Now we have to recollect how robust the session was, and we have to perceive what occurred so we will enhance sooner or later.”