Lewis Hamilton is changing into more and more snug with Ferrari, however says he feels a podium continues to be a good distance off after ending fourth ultimately weekend’s COTA American Grand Prix.
Ferrari are but to win this 12 months and Hamilton continues to be chasing his first podium. In Austin, Hamilton completed fourth behind teammate Charles Leclerc in third, and though a sluggish closing lap meant he was greater than 13 seconds behind, the seven-time world champion confirmed progress.
Hamilton stated of his podium end: “So shut, however nonetheless thus far…” “It is undoubtedly a development transferring ahead and it is moving into the fitting course. The automotive undoubtedly feels higher and we’re undoubtedly going to dive deep over the following few days and work out methods to get extra efficiency out of the automotive. We put the automotive in a bit of little bit of a greater place, however general it is fairly respectable. The staff did an amazing job (in Austin).”
“I might simply say we’d like consistency. If we are able to end there, and even get a podium sooner or later, our solely objective is to complete forward of Mercedes. If we can assist the staff get second place within the constructors’ championship, that may be a very good finish to the 12 months.”
Ferrari’s robust efficiency got here on the circuit the place they completed one-two final 12 months, however Hamilton is uncertain whether or not they are going to be aggressive in Mexico Metropolis, regardless of it being the stage for the Scuderia to win once more in 2024.
“It is actually tough,” he stated. “From one weekend on, Mercedes received the final race and had been behind us on this race. So it is actually, actually arduous to know why that occurs, why there are these swings and roundabouts, however we are able to solely hope that our automotive can be higher subsequent week.”
Leclerc additionally has query marks over Ferrari’s probabilities in Mexico, given the staff’s type thus far this season.
“We’re in a unique state of affairs now,” Leclerc stated. “I nonetheless wish to imagine that we are able to win races by the top of the season. However I feel we must be life like in our state of affairs and I do not suppose we’ve the automotive to try this but.”
“I feel this weekend (Austin) was an ideal weekend for the staff. I might be stunned if we are able to accomplish something extra by the top of the 12 months. However we’ll take it race by race and see what we are able to do.”
