Lewis Hamilton was sad with Ferrari’s alternative of tyres after failing to make the lower for Q3 in qualifying for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
He stated his early exit from qualifying was a “shock” as a result of he thought he was on track for a prime three begin.
Hamilton reached Q2 comfortably, setting the sixth-quickest time within the opening spherical of qualifying. Nevertheless he lapped 0.365 seconds slower in Q2, the place he used the gentle compound tyre, and missed the lower by 0.395s. His group mate Charles Leclerc used the mediums and progressed to Q3.
The seven-times world champion regretted not utilizing the medium rubber in Q2, as most of his rivals did.
“Firstly we [should] have achieved what everybody else did and have three [sets of] mediums going into [third practice],” he stated. “Then into qualifying we might’ve had three mediums and we should always have used a medium in Q2.
“That’s what everybody else did and we knew that it was faster. I can’t let you know why we didn’t find yourself utilizing it. However we’ll take it inner.”
Late in Q2 Hamilton requested his race engineer Ricardo Adami: “Is there time to cease for tyres or not?” Nevertheless Adami warned him there wasn’t sufficient time left for him to pit, swap to the mediums and get them as much as the proper working temperature. “Tough warm-up for medium,” he stated, “keep out.”
Hamilton set the quickest time in apply yesterday and stays satisfied Ferrari have made enhancements with their automobile. “There’s been plenty of progress,” he stated.
“I’m nonetheless optimistic for the race, I believe, by way of making an attempt to maneuver forwards,” he added. “However I actually thought I used to be preventing for the highest three, so it’s a giant shock.”
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2025 Azerbaijan Grand Prix
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