Hamilton optimistic Ferrari can fight McLaren: 'Working on a master plan'
F1 News
Lewis Hamilton could only manage a P5 ahead of the Chinese Grand Prix, but this is the result of the changes the Briton and Ferrari made looking toward the race on Sunday, where the driver-team combination look to punch above their weight in a bid to challenge McLaren.
Speaking after the qualifying session, Hamilton elaborated on his Q3 lap. "I think the lap was in the cleanest at the end and I could have... probably should have been a couple tenths further up, or a tenth at least. So, we're not terribly far away. [Still] not ideal."
Why did Ferrari fall short on its efforts in qualifying for the Grand Prix, after having taken pole on Friday for the Saturday morning sprint? The Briton reveals: "We made some changes to improve race performance, but it was definitely harder on a single lap, so it's going to be interesting to see," stating he "hopes" he can have the pace in the SF-25 to challenge the leaders on Sunday.
'Optimistic' Hamilton outlines key factor for the Chinese Grand Prix
Hamilton then outlines what he believes will be the key for the Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit. "It's a great track to race on. So it's not a circuit where you only have one line everywhere, so that's the positive. But you can see people are still struggling to follow one another this morning. So how you use the tyres, when you use the tyres, is going to be key tomorrow."
The Briton then looks at what can be done tomorrow from P5 on the grid. Is yet another win in the cards for the Ferrari man? "If I can do the same thing, yes. But again, I'm in a much different position as well, but I feel optimistic for tomorrow. I think I'd like to get a good start and jump at least one car and then slowly make my way up.
"Tonight I'm just going to make a master plan and then I've got to try and execute it. That's what my mindset is at," concluded Hamilton