Hamilton aims to exploit Red Bull's Perez problem: 'Can apply pressure'
F1 News
It had been a while since Lewis Hamilton was allowed to report to the press conference room after a session. His third place in qualifying for the Spanish Grand Prix was another sign that Mercedes has slowly started to move up the grid. With constant improvements coming from the German team, it has given some belief to the seven-time World Champion after a poor start to 2024.
Hamilton thinks race win will be 'difficult' but hopes 'strategy' can help
Hamilton knows a race win might just be out of reach for Mercedes at the moment, but their upward trajectory gives the Brit confidence to pressure teams around them as he starts alongside his teammate George Russell: "I think it would be very difficult, I think these two will be very quick. But our position is good. There are two of us, so hopefully we can apply pressure as a team to both of the cars ahead in order to maybe play out something in strategy and slowly climb up. I think it's all about degradation tomorrow.
"It's great to see that we're progressing. You've seen over the last couple of races that we're slowly climbing in closer to the guys up front. I'm really happy to be in P3, it’s a pretty good spot to be in for the start with that long straight down to turn one."
Hamilton watching the Ferraris behind
With Lando Norris and Max Verstappen locking out the front row of the grid, Hamilton concedes that his W15 might not have the pace to fight his way through to the front. However, the Brit is also concerned about the dangers from cars behind, believing that a podium will be just as challenging.
"I think the bigger concern, probably, is the Ferraris behind us," explained Hamilton. "We were all within half a tenth, I think, from third to fifth, I think it was, or sixth.
"They [Ferrari] had an upgrade this weekend, so I think their long place looked quite strong. So I think it's more working together as a team and trying to hold the position at least. If we happen to have more pace available to us and we're able to hold on to these guys [Norris and Verstappen], then it's game on. But we really won't know until tomorrow.
"Degradation is always the key here. And when you have a really good rear end, you can save your balance, but you can save the rear tyres. So that's going to be key for tomorrow," Hamilton continued, highlighting the importance of tyre-saving in the race once again.