Hamilton takes pole as Ferrari struggle at German GP
LHOCKENHEIM, Germany (AP): EWIS HAMILTON took pole position for the German Grand Prix yesterday while Sebastian Vettel’s miserable form continued for Ferrari as he was unable to even set a time and will start from the back. It got even worse for Ferrari as Vettel’s teammate, Charles Leclerc, was unable to start the last part of qualifying, known as Q3, and is set to begin from 10th place on the grid today.
“I don’t know really how we did it today. I’m not quite sure what happened to the Ferraris,” Hamilton said. “I think if Leclerc had done a lap at the end, it would have been close between us.” Ferrari are winless in 10 races this season and that terrible run looks to continue while Hamilton is aiming for a sixth win in seven. It was a record-extending 87th pole for the five-time world champion, who is 11 wins shy of Michael Schumacher’s record of 91.
Hamilton starts on the front row alongside Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who pushed Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate, Valtteri Bottas, into third place. Red Bull’s Pierre Gasly goes from fourth. “A bit disappointed with qualifying and I just struggled,” said Bottas, who is level with Hamilton on four poles this season. “Ferrari (were) extremely quick, and we knew it would be difficult to beat them ... We’ve been a bit lucky.” Vettel, who crashed at last year’s German GP despite leading from pole, looked visibly upset as he climbed out of his car in the team garage.
FIVE DRIVERS ELIMINATED
The incident happened during the first part of qualifying, making him one of five drivers eliminated from Q1. Ferrari said the problem was with airflow to the turbo, even more surprising given Ferrari had topped all three practice sessions heading into qualifying. “Lost out on a big chance,” Vettel said, reflecting on his home race.
“It’s very painful here, obviously. I was looking forward to having fun.” Worried faces in the Ferrari garage turned to sheer horror as mechanics then detected a problem on Leclerc’s car, ruling him out of the top-10 shoot-out in Q3. “Mine was a fuel system problem. It is a shame, but we will be trying to understand what happened and not to reproduce it. The car felt great today, so it’s a shame it ended like this,” Leclerc said. “I feel for the whole team. I will give absolutely everything to make everyone smile again tomorrow (today).” Television footage showed a Ferrari fan in the stands sinking his face into his hands in disbelief.
Mercedes head of motorsport Toto Wolff was sympathetic when commenting on Ferrari’s latest setback. “It is a shame for Ferrari and for Sebastian at his home GP,” Wolff told broadcaster Sky Sports, adding “Ferrari have an illness that they need to cure, and we need them so we can have a competitive championship.” With Leclerc ruled out of Q3, Ferrari’s principal, Mattio Binotto, looked pensively down at the floor, with his hands in his pockets. After two disappointing – yet relatively competitive seasons – things have gone from bad to worse for Ferrari since Binotto replaced Maurizio Arrivabene.
Leclerc is only in his second F1 season – his first with Ferrari – and has four podiums in the past four races. But for Vettel, a fourtime F1 champion, it’s yet another setback after capitulating against Hamilton in the last two title battles. Vettel has not won since last year’s Belgian GP, a run which now looks likely to reach 19 races.
I don’t know really how we did it today. I’m not quite sure what happened to the Ferraris,” Hamilton said. “I think if Leclerc had done a lap at the end, it would have been close between us.