Lewis Hamilton believes that only Brazilian soccer fans rival the passionate support of Ferrari’s devoted Tifosi. Despite the overwhelming backing at Monza, Hamilton found himself apologizing to his team as Ferrari failed to mount a strong challenge for pole position at their home Grand Prix.
Hamilton, facing a five-place grid penalty, was never in contention and will commence today’s race from 10th place. Charles Leclerc secured the fourth-fastest time as Ferrari opted not to utilize the seven-time champion to tow his teammate along the lengthy straights of the Temple of Speed.
Expressing regret over the radio for not contributing more, Hamilton later reflected positively on the team’s progress, stating his satisfaction with their close performance to Leclerc. He acknowledged the challenge ahead and emphasized the need for continued improvement.
While Hamilton’s tenure with Ferrari has not yielded much success, the unwavering support of the fans resonated with him throughout the event. He marveled at the incredible energy and passion displayed by the fans, comparing it to no other experience except perhaps the fervor of Brazilian football supporters.
Leclerc briefly led the timesheets after an impressive initial flying lap in Q3 but was swiftly overtaken by Max Verstappen. Realizing the difficulty of reclaiming the top spot, Leclerc expressed contentment with his performance and strategy during qualifying.
Reflecting on his victory at Monza last year from a similar starting position, Leclerc remained cautious about his chances this time. He acknowledged the heightened challenge this year and the clear strategy in place, expressing surprise at the prospect of another win but not ruling it out entirely.
Formula 1 enthusiasts can catch all the live action, including practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and races, with Sky’s new Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle, offering substantial savings along with access to over 100 TV channels, Netflix, and Discovery+ subscriptions.