Despite taking lead, Hamilton says Ferrari has advantage
Despite regaining the Formula One lead, Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton maintains Ferrari has the upper hand.
The defending champion got his nose back in front of Sebastian Vettel at the German Grand Prix last weekend, but only with a stroke of good fortune after his main rival crashed leading the race .
“Ferrari have really taken a step up, particularly in their qualifying performance. We are under no illusion we have to battle hard against them,” Hamilton told reporters Thursday at the Hungarian GP. “They slightly have the upper hand at the moment. We’re racing a team that is faster than us this year. Last year was more balanced, this year is swinging more in their direction. We’re having to over-deliver at weekends.”
Hamilton was undoubtedly quickest last year, breaking F1 great Michael Schumacher’s record for pole positions along the way, but the British driver — who describes himself as a “perfectionist” — thinks he is not doing enough in qualifying. Nor, he said, is he starting races well enough.
“There are parts of my performance this year which aren’t perfect,” Hamilton said. “Last year I was great in qualifying, this year it’s an area I need to work on. (My) starts were more consistent last year.”
Considering the tight Hungaroring circuit is among the toughest for overtaking — Monaco is the hardest — Hamilton feels under extra pressure to get pole for Sunday’s race. Vettel won here last year from pole, ahead of Kimi Raikkonen in a Ferrari 1-2.
“I need to get on the front row. I need P1,” Hamilton said. “Position is mostly everything here.” /