After securing fifth place in the qualifying round for the grand prix on Sunday, Hamilton faced a series of setbacks during the shootout session on Saturday before the sprint race. He lost his best time in Q1 due to track limits and was involved in an incident with Max Verstappen, preventing him from completing his final flying lap.
Consequently, Hamilton found himself starting 18th on the grid and embarked on a challenging race in the midfield. Despite making a strong recovery after a pit stop for slick tires, he finished outside the points in 10th position.
When asked about his afternoon, Hamilton described it as an enjoyable experience, likening it to a typical weekend at Rye House karting track. He commented, “I had a great first lap, but I struggled with the car’s balance throughout. Wet conditions magnify existing issues with the car, which affects confidence. However, I made the transition to slick tires too late, as I prefer to avoid taking unnecessary risks. Unfortunately, I paid the price for that decision. Nevertheless, overall, I’m relatively satisfied.”
Hamilton expressed some frustration over the potential result he missed out on due to starting 18th. He believed that based on his morning’s performance, he could have easily secured a spot in the top five and potentially even reached the podium during the race. However, he acknowledged the importance of learning from the experience and hoped to apply those lessons in the upcoming races.
Reflecting on the performance of his W14 car, Hamilton admitted that they hadn’t made significant progress during the weekend. He recognized that they were falling behind compared to the previous races but emphasized the need to continue working on improvements.
The sprint race regulations for this season have introduced a standalone event on Saturdays, decoupling the grid order for the grand prix. Despite the challenges he faced during the day, Hamilton appreciated the novelty of this format, stating, “It’s nice to have something different from the usual Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday routine we’ve had in every season before. Today was an okay day, and I hope tomorrow brings better results.”
In conclusion, Hamilton’s experience in the Austrian F1 sprint race reminded him of karting at Rye House. Despite the setbacks and disappointment, he maintained a positive outlook, focusing on the learning opportunities and hoping for improved performance in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Austrian F1 sprint race
What position did Lewis Hamilton start in the Austrian F1 sprint race?
Lewis Hamilton started in 18th position for the Austrian F1 sprint race.
How did Lewis Hamilton describe his experience during the race?
Lewis Hamilton described his experience during the race as enjoyable, comparing it to karting at Rye House.
Did Lewis Hamilton score any points in the race?
No, Lewis Hamilton finished the race outside the points in 10th place.
How did Lewis Hamilton feel about his car’s performance?
Hamilton expressed that he struggled with the balance of his car during the race and believed there were issues that affected his confidence.
Did Lewis Hamilton think he could have achieved a better result?
Hamilton believed that based on his morning’s performance, he could have easily been in the top five and potentially on the podium if he had started in a higher position.
How did Lewis Hamilton feel about the sprint race format?
Hamilton appreciated the change from the usual race weekend format and found it enjoyable to have something different.
Did Lewis Hamilton feel optimistic for future races?
Despite the setbacks, Hamilton remained optimistic for the future and hoped to learn from the experience to improve in upcoming races.
Did Lewis Hamilton make any significant progress with his car during the weekend?
Hamilton mentioned that they hadn’t made much progress with the car during the weekend and acknowledged the need to continue working on improvements.
More about Austrian F1 sprint race
- Formula 1 Official Website
- F1 Flow
- Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team
- Red Bull Racing
- Austrian Grand Prix
- Rye House Kart Circuit
