Sir Lewis Hamilton hailed the ‘mega progress’ made by Ferrari at the Austrian Grand Prix in a show of support for absent team principal Fred Vasseur.
The seven-time world champion’s dream move to Ferrari hasn’t gone to plan so far, with Hamilton struggling to get to grips with his new team and far off the pace of his rivals.
But things appear to have taken a turn for the better in Austria as the 40-year-old started and finished fourth, only behind the dominant McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as teammate Charles Leclerc.
While yet to finish on the podium this season, it’s a positive sign for Hamilton especially ahead of the British Grand Prix at Silverstone next weekend.
‘Mega, mega progress for us as a team, I have to say a huge thank you to the guys at the factory for bringing the upgrade this weekend,’ the Brit told Sky Sports.
‘It didn’t seem much on paper but it was a really small step but perhaps it had a bigger influence on our performance. For us to be the second fastest team this weekend, we’re not a minute down from the McLarens which is a positive and to bag some really strong points, definitely happy with it for sure.
‘From my my side, struggling with the balance in the race, just struggling to hold on to the pace and lost a bit too much ground but that’s something I need to work on.
‘I will keep working at it, I feel like I made progress this weekend, less than a tenth off Charles in qualifying and we found a problem through qualifying with the brakes, that’s a positive.’
While Hamilton remains sixth in the standings, Ferrari have now jumped ahead of Mercedes by one point in the battle for second in the constructors’ championship.
It’s a boost for the under pressure Vasseur, who is reportedly under threat of being sacked if results don’t improve, and who was forced to miss Sunday’s race at the last moment.
F1 standings after Austrian Grand Prix
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 216pts
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 201pts
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 155pts
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 146pts
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 119pts
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 91pts
Just hours before lights out, Ferrari announced: ‘Fred will not be at the track today, because he has had to return home for personal reasons. Deputy Team Principal, Jerome d’Ambrosio will stand in for him.’
Asked if Vasseur would be pleased with the result, Hamilton replied: ‘Definitely for sure. I think everyone will be happier.
‘Everyone here has been a lot calmer, more methodical this weekend. I’m really proud to see that.’
Hamilton and Vasseur have known each other from before Formula 1 and the 57-year-old was key to persuading the driver to leave Mercedes after 12 years and join Ferrari.
Sky Sports report that Vasseur should be back in the paddock for the British Grand Prix.
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