Hamilton’s Strong Start at the British Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton has consistently performed well on his home turf, but his impressive first practice session, which topped the session, came as a surprise this time.
Allegations of him putting on a show for the hometown crowd were quickly dismissed when he secured third place in the second practice, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc, showcasing solid race runs from both drivers.
While practice times can be deceptive due to varying engine modes and fuel loads, Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the day’s significance, noting, “It’s still tight, and we don’t know the level of fuel of the others, the engine mode, and so on. But it’s probably our best Friday since the beginning of the season.”
Ferrari seems to have turned a corner in the last two weeks, rebounding from previous off-track difficulties and mishaps in Canada to deliver a strong performance in Austria just last weekend. Leclerc and Hamilton secured second and fourth positions in qualifying, finishing third and fourth in the race, respectively.
However, Ferrari insists that their performance in Austria may not indicate substantial progress, claiming the usual competitors simply weren’t present. With Silverstone presenting a more realistic picture, Vasseur notes ongoing progress across various fronts, attributing it to a “spiral” of benefits, including a new floor that slightly improved performance.
Vasseur expressed optimism about the new floor, saying, “I hope that it has helped, but honestly, it’s more about putting everything together for a good setup and balance.” The drivers are increasingly focused on these details, leading to a reinforcing cycle of improvement.
Additionally, Hamilton appears to have adjusted well to the SF-25, aligning closely with Leclerc’s setup, which is accelerating Ferrari’s advancement. Looking ahead, Vasseur remains calm but acknowledges room for refinement, especially in car balance and qualifying pace, suggesting that while Friday showed promise, the team still has work to do.
