Lewis Hamilton claims front-row start at Bahrain GP in Malaysia after a weekend of extensive Ferrari adjustments
Lewis Hamilton secured a valuable P2 in qualifying for the Bahrain GP in Malaysia, placing Ferrari on the front row behind Max Verstappen. This result comes after a challenging weekend where the SF-26 required several modifications to find the right balance.
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The British driver revealed how difficult it was to manage the car at Sepang, primarily due to the heat and tyre behavior. “It27s incredibly hot here, I keep saying it, but this makes the challenge really tough for the tyres, the cars, and the mechanics in the garage,” Hamilton explained.
Ferrari adjusts SF-26 and finds turning point
During the sessions, Ferrari had to make multiple changes to the car to address handling issues. “We made many adjustments across sessions because the car was sliding, the tyres overheated, and it was very hard to find the proper balance,” Hamilton shared.
The breakthrough came just before qualifying. The team implemented a final change, and Hamilton believes it brought the SF-26 into an optimal window: “I think we nailed the ideal conditions”.
The improvement was clear in the timing sheets. Hamilton closed the gap to Verstappen to about three-tenths, after the Red Bull driver had shown strong pace all weekend. “Max was incredibly fast throughout, and comparing to that, I’m very grateful,” Hamilton added, praising Ferrari’s work.
Still, second place does not erase uncertainties for the race. Hamilton stressed that Sunday will bring a different scenario where tyre management could be crucial.
“It will be a completely different contest. Keeping the tyres alive will be tough as they will overheat from the start,” explained the Ferrari driver.
Furthermore, tyre wear will not be the only factor. Any mistake in managing the SF-26 could rapidly affect the tyres: “Every slide, wheelspin, or slight wobble, even influenced by wind, will impact tyre behavior”.
Hamilton knows that balance will remain crucial. “Having a good balance will be vital. Max was very quick in the race simulation, but I will do everything to endure and finish the job,” he said.
Ferrari thus heads into the race with first and second rows secured after intense SF-26 development. Hamilton faces a new challenge, with Verstappen as the benchmark and a track that will test tyres hard from the opening laps.
Image credits for cover: Marco Talluto for F1inGenerale.com