Lewis Hamilton praised the fervent support of Ferrari’s passionate Tifosi fans at Monza, comparing their enthusiasm to that of Brazilian football fans. Despite the immense backing from the crowd, Hamilton expressed regret to his team as Ferrari struggled to challenge for pole position at their home race.
Due to a five-place grid penalty, Hamilton knew he wouldn’t contend for pole and will begin the race from 10th place. Charles Leclerc, who opted not to use Hamilton’s help for a tow, secured the fourth-fastest time in qualifying.
Hamilton acknowledged his team over the radio for their efforts and expressed satisfaction with their progress, noting their competitiveness within a tenth of Leclerc’s time. Reflecting on his experience as a Ferrari driver, Hamilton marveled at the incredible energy and support from the fans throughout the event.
Leclerc briefly led the timesheets in qualifying but was overtaken by Max Verstappen. Despite his strong performance, Leclerc acknowledged the difficulty of reclaiming the top spot and expressed contentment with his qualifying effort.
While Leclerc won from fourth on the grid last year, he is less optimistic about his chances this year due to increased competition and clearer strategies. Nevertheless, he remains hopeful of a strong performance in the upcoming race.
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