Lewis Hamilton performed well in the F1 Monaco GP Qualifying, finishing behind his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc and the McLaren duo.
Hamilton made a strong recovery from his late crash during the third practice session, successfully advancing to Q3.
The Briton finished the session in P4. However, he will start 7th thanks to a grid penalty for impeding Max Verstappen in Q1.
Following a strong race result at the Imola GP, where he finished in P4, it looks like Hamilton has gained some confidence in the SF 25.
Encouraging signs
In the print media pen after the F1 Monaco GP Qualifying, the Briton recognized the advancements he has achieved since the season began, even though his Ferrari contrasts significantly with the Mercedes he drove for the last 12 years.
“I’m definitely getting there, yeah.
“I definitely feel the last race was a really good step, and then coming into this weekend, I’ve definitely felt more at one with the car.
“I think it’s a much, much different car driving here than I’ve had for the last 12 years.
“I’ll see Max [Verstappen]. Charles [Leclerc] has been driving this car for the last six years, at least the way they set the car up here, so he fully hits the ground and he knows it like the back of his hand.
“I’m still, I would say this weekend has been a quick steep learning curve, but I was quite happy with the recovery from the crash.”
When asked whether he was happy with his P4 finish in Qualifying for the Monaco GP, Hamilton confirmed, noting that he enjoyed driving the car around the track.
“No, I definitely am, and I really like driving the car in these parts here.
“I know what to expect more so I would say from this year and how they set the car up.”
Hamilton believes that P4 was the maximum he could have achieved today, unlike his teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished the session in P2.
“Not for me.”
“I think for Charles, yes.”
Differences between Ferrari and Mercedes
When asked about the earlier discussed differences between Ferrari and Mercedes, Hamilton clarified that aspects like corner balance and engine behavior vary significantly.
The seven-time world champion, who has been in F1 since 2007, said this weekend marked the first time he used engine braking around Monaco.
Hamilton also enjoys the challenge of overcoming all the new components that go into finding his footing in his new team.
“It’s hard to explain. It’s just the characteristics through corner balance.”
“Ride is a lot different. How soft the car is. I think when I was at Mercedes, the car was very stiff.
“We were running quite stiff.
“Load to get the downforce.
“Everything’s different. Everything tow, cambers, everything’s different. The way the engine behaves. Engine braking.
“I’ve never ever used engine braking here before.
“All these different components that get thrown in.
“It takes a bit to get used to it but I think I was enjoying it.
Asked to clarify whether the Ferrari ran softer than the Mercedes, Hamilton denied it, noting that the cars were just different.
He conceded that the Mercedes ran a bit stiffer than the Ferrari.
“No, I didn’t say it was softer.
“I just said it was different.
“I said at Mercedes, we did run it quite stiff and low. I guess the ride is a little bit softer.
“It’s better over the kerbs.”
Ferrari’s ride height issues
In Imola, both Ferrari drivers failed to make it into Q3, Hamilton points to the right hand as an issue that has plagued Ferrari since the Chinese GP.
The issue doesn’t appear to be as hindering for the Monaco GP with Hamilton and Leclerc qualifying high up the grid.
“No. I think it’s a ride height thing between there and here.
“Yeah, I think since China, ride has been an issue.
“And that’s hindered us.”
Mandatory pit stops
In a bid to introduce more excitement to the Monaco GP, an amendment to the sporting regulations was introduced, which dictates that all competitors have to make two stops during the Monaco GP.
Hamilton welcomes the change after last year’s Monaco GP, which saw very little action following an early Safety Car and ensuing Red Flag Period.
After the race resumed, hardly anyone opted to pit, finishing the race pretty much on the starting tyres.
Hamilton believes that the mandatory stops will see teams try out different strategies on a track where overtaking is almost impossible.
“I think the two stops should be better than the strife we had last year.
“Last year the safety car came out lap 2 and then everyone was just on one tyre for 70 something laps.
“It was an uneventful race.
“I think this kind of forces a bit more of a lottery.
“I think you need that at this sort of track because you can’t overtake.
“I’m excited to see how different it is.
“I chose to have two hards. Charles chose to have two mediums.
“I’m hoping that there’s a benefit of that.
“But of course, the two McLarens have two hards as well.
“It’ll be tough to beat them.”
Strategy and expectations for the Monaco GP
Ferrari’s strategy has been under close scrutiny all season, when asked whether he would take matters into his own hands, Hamilton emphasized the importance of being able to rely on the team.
Hamilton is confident about his call to keep to sets of the hard compound as he believes it will provide him with a broader strategy window.
“It’s a discussion you have at the beginning. Tonight and tomorrow.
“You have to rely on the team.
“You don’t know where everyone is. But you also have to have good pace. You have to try not to take yourself.
“That’s why I’ve given myself two hards.
“That gives me a bit more opportunities.”
