Lewis Hamilton says it will be hard for him to repeat his recovery drive from the 2014 Austrian Grand Prix having qualified eighth for this year’s race.
The Mercedes driver started ninth at the track three years ago and rose through the field to finish second. But he believes the standard of competition is much higher now.
“I’m pretty sure that back then there was a bigger difference in speed deltas between us and other cars,” said Hamilton. “So I think it’s more unlikely than it was then, but I will give it everything I can and of course I would be happy if I could get up there.”
The fastest and slowest times in Q3 today were covered by 1.5 seconds. Three years ago it was two seconds, though two drivers did not set times.
Hamilton has been relegated from third on the grid to eighth due to a gearbox change. “I found out on Tuesday, I think it was,” he said. “Of course, you go in with a very positive mind about coming back and fighting and then of course something like that hits us.”
Hamilton was quickest in Q1 and then ran the harder set of tyres in Q2. But he was dissatisfied with his laps in the top ten shoot-out.
“It’s been a frustrating day for me,” he said. “I had a chance to be fastest today and I didn’t quite put it all together on that final lap in Q3. I’m disappointed with my performance in Q3.”
C
8th July 2017, 16:29
Things might go haywire if the predicted rain shower would make an appearance during the race.
Sensord4notbeingafanboi (@peartree)
8th July 2017, 17:21
Everything is possible, he was still my pick for the predictions game. The field looks more competitive, the speeds are higher the degradation is lower, everything is harder than 2014. I reckon it’s the RB’s that are going to be critical, they’ll race as hard as they can, it’s not every day they’ll fight with Lewis.
PorscheF1 (@xtwl)
8th July 2017, 16:32
I think it will be very important to get unscathed through the first corner, and take the maximum out those super softs. For all we know everyone will be pitting for him to take the lead when the shower comes.
OmarRoncal - Go Seb!!! (@)
8th July 2017, 17:00
@xtwl is there rain forecast for tomorrow?
ksells (@ksells)
8th July 2017, 17:22
There is a chance of thunderstorms for tomorrow afternoon but you never know with the weather!
OmarRoncal - Go Seb!!! (@)
8th July 2017, 17:01
Hamilton will probably have a hard time to pass Mad Max and Danny Ric. Well, if Max doesn’t have another DNF.
Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
8th July 2017, 18:56
There is quite a good chance that Mad Max will have another DNF, taking Hamilton with him.
SaraJ (@sjzelli)
8th July 2017, 19:39
One can hope
Dom (@3dom)
9th July 2017, 10:18
Which driver or team do you support @sjzelli?
Baron
8th July 2017, 17:21
I’m sure Bottas will eliminate one or two red cars during the race so Hamilton won’t have to worry about passing too many cars.
Patrickl (@patrickl)
8th July 2017, 18:58
Or Vettel can take another swipe at Verstappen and Raikkonen in one swoop like at Spa. That would help even more.
Baron
9th July 2017, 10:41
Except that time Vettel didn’t and couldn’t see Verstappen diving into Raikkonen’s inside and gave plenty of space for one car.
Bottas gives plenty of space too, until he sees a red car. Then he ‘accidentally’ bounces off curbs and brakes too late.
Girts (@girts)
8th July 2017, 17:23
I do not think so. With the help of DRS, Hamilton should get past Force Indias and Red Bulls in no time. If he stays out of trouble on the first lap, then a podium finish is very likely. And if it rains tomorrow, then the outcome of the race is anybody’s guess, Hamilton could even win it.
Esploratore
8th July 2017, 22:25
Don’t forget verstappen! If it rains and hamilton and verstappen don’t have mechanical issues I wouldn’t be surprised to see verstappen win and hamilton 2nd, verstappen is good enough on the wet to offset the mercedes advantage, if the track then dries up ofc hamilton would get past him.
George (@george)
8th July 2017, 18:25
I expect he’ll come second or third, apart from Q3 he’s looked very quick this weekend.
Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
8th July 2017, 18:58
Bottas will be very aware that he is only 28 points behind Hamilton and a victory in Austria would narrow that margin, perhaps significantly. He will not dance to Hamilton’s music this time.
Jack (@jmc200)
8th July 2017, 20:06
Agreed, Bottas needs to win if he wants to show he’s a contender.
Brian (@flyinglapct)
8th July 2017, 19:55
For the conspiracy theorists – VET DNF tomorrow.
Ispookie666
8th July 2017, 20:08
KR and VET collide
VB and DR collide
Mad Max and LH nose to tail
Loup Garou (@loup-garou)
8th July 2017, 21:04
Methinks that a collision between Mad Max and Hamilton is the likeliest of all such possibilities.
Todfod (@todfod)
9th July 2017, 11:32
I wouldn’t be surprised with another clash of finns in turn one tomorrow.