Lewis and Charles Gear Up for High-Energy Sprint Charge
Ahead of the upcoming race weekend, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc participated in the Sprint Qualifying sessions to set their starting positions. Both drivers faced challenges but showed promising potential.
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in Sprint Qualifying
During Free Practice 1 (FP1), Hamilton smoothly executed his planned program. The session experienced a brief interruption due to debris from Lance Stroll’s car that required removal at Turn 19.
Hamilton utilized the Medium compound tire, which is mandatory for the first two qualifying phases. In contrast, Leclerc initially ran on Mediums but had to pit without setting a time; his only lap was on Hard tires due to a gearbox issue toward the session’s end.
Teams Prepare for Race Weekend
Prior to Sprint Qualifying, Charles Leclerc’s gearbox was replaced due to earlier difficulties. Both drivers adhered to the regulation requiring Medium tires for the qualifying sessions. In SQ1, Hamilton advanced comfortably while Leclerc faced congestion during his flying lap, necessitating another attempt.
Final Qualifying Phases
- In SQ2, again using Mediums, both drivers completed two runs to secure their spots in SQ3.
- In SQ3, the remaining ten drivers switched to Soft tires for a single run.
- Hamilton and Leclerc achieved eighth and tenth positions, respectively.
Looking ahead, tomorrow’s Sprint Race will consist of 19 laps. Following the race, teams will have the opportunity to work on their cars before Grand Prix qualifying at 16:00 local time (23:00 CEST).
Driver Comments
Hamilton expressed a need to analyze the session. He found the car’s pace promising in FP1 and SQ1 but struggled to maintain that form later on. He plans to regroup with his team for the race.
Leclerc felt satisfied with his SQ3 performance, stating he maximized his potential. While he noted the possibility of further car adjustments, he acknowledged the current limitations of their setup.
Both drivers aim to enhance their performance for the challenging race ahead, as they gear up for a high-energy sprint charge.
