Lewis Hamilton says he’s getting an increasing number of comfy within the Ferrari however {that a} podium nonetheless feels far-off after ending fourth in final weekend’s United States Grand Prix at COTA.
Ferrari has but to win a race this 12 months, and Hamilton continues to be searching for his first podium. In Austin, Hamilton completed fourth behind teammate Charles Leclerc in third, and though he was over 13 seconds adrift after a sluggish remaining lap, the seven-time world champion can see progress.
“So shut, however nonetheless to date…” Hamilton mentioned of a podium end. “Positively a development transferring forwards, it’s stepping into the fitting route. I am positively feeling higher within the automotive, and I positively get to deep dive in these subsequent couple of days, attempt to determine how can extract extra efficiency From the automotive. Get the automotive in a barely higher place, however general, fairly first rate. The group did an incredible job [in Austin].
“I’d simply say we want consistency. If I can end there, and even get a podium in some unspecified time in the future, simply ending forward of the Mercedes is our purpose. If I might help the group safe second within the constructors’ that may be a great finish to the 12 months.”
Ferrari’s robust efficiency got here at a observe it completed one-two finally 12 months, however Hamilton is uncertain if it will likely be aggressive in Mexico Metropolis regardless of it being the scene of one other win for the Scuderia in 2024.
“It’s actually tough,” he mentioned. “From one weekend – Mercedes gained the final race, after which this race they had been behind us. So, it is actually, actually tough to know why that’s, and why there are these swings and roundabouts, however we’re actually simply hoping our automotive is healthier subsequent week.”
Leclerc additionally has query marks over Ferrari’s probabilities in Mexico, given the group’s type to date this season.
“We’re in a special state of affairs now,” Leclerc mentioned. “I nonetheless wish to consider we will win a race earlier than the top of the season. However I feel we have to be life like in our state of affairs and I do not assume we fairly have the automotive to take action.
“I feel this weekend [in Austin] has been the right weekend for the group and I’ll be shocked if we will obtain something higher till the top of the 12 months. However we’ll take it race by race and see what could be executed.”
