Ferrari F1 workforce principal Frederic Vasseur steered that tyre preparation on the out lap could have been a key issue behind Lewis Hamilton’s shock Q2 exit in qualifying for the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton endured one other nightmare qualifying session on the Hungaroring, leaving him twelfth on the grid for Sunday’s race.
It’s Hamilton’s worst qualifying on the Hungarian Grand Prix – a circuit he’s usually thrived at over time.
Hamilton delivered an abject interview after qualifying, describing himself as “ineffective”.
Vasseur provided a extra upbeat outlook when reflecting on Hamilton’s struggles.
Chatting with Sky Italia, Vasseur stated: “We all know that the out lap is essential.
“Should you lighten the tyres in Flip 1, you danger it on the finish of the lap otherwise you slide an excessive amount of.
“Hamilton went out in Q2, Charles was just some hundredths of a second away. Lewis was just some hundredths of a second away, nevertheless it’s all the time tough to handle the out lap. In fact, he’s annoyed as a result of he solely missed the lap in Q2. It’s a disgrace.
“We now have to study from this. The result’s OK, however we will’t relaxation on our laurels. Within the race simulation, we had been constant [and] just like McLaren. Let’s deal with ourselves, managing the tyres and arising with technique, and every part will probably be wonderful.”
“Delicate” tyre window key to Leclerc pole
Charles Leclerc’s pole got here as a shock, as he narrowly made it into Q2.
It was the same story in Q3, with Leclerc behind each Aston Martins after the primary runs.
Vasseur famous the significance of getting the tyres into the proper working window.
“We’ve all the time struggled to get the tyres into the precise temperature window this 12 months, and in Q2 we had been nearly out – we made it by means of by only a tenth,” he defined.
“Ultimately, Charles managed to get the tyres in the precise window. It’s all very delicate – the hole between first and tenth is small. Ultimately, we’re all proper on the restrict with the tyres.
“There have been plenty of ups and downs, however then we had been stronger than anticipated. We now have to recollect how powerful the session was, and we have to perceive what occurred so we will enhance sooner or later.”
