Lewis Hamilton claimed first place in dash qualifying for Ferrari in Shanghai and left Purple Bull chief Helmut Marko impressed together with his efficiency forward of the weekend of racing
Lewis Hamilton touchdown pole place for Ferrari in Shanghai has been labelled ‘unbelievable’ by Purple Bull chief Helmut Marko. The seven-time world champion certified quickest for Saturday’s dash race in China having struggled in his first outing for the Prancing Horse every week in the past.
Hamilton was in a position to outperform team-mate Charles Leclerc, who was solely quick sufficient for fourth, along with Purple Bull’s Max Verstappen McLaren’s Oscar Piastri who made up the highest three. Lando Norris, the winner of the Australian Grand Prix, might solely qualify in sixth.
It’s only the second time Hamilton has earned first place within the grind for a dash, and the primary time since 2021 on the British Grand Prix. So, will probably be a uncommon expertise for the 40-year-old who final began on pole on the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix – 20 months in the past.
Purple Bull advisor Marko was left astonished that Hamilton was in a position to outpace his team-mate in a qualifying surroundings. The 81-year-old believes Ferrari have been unlucky in Hamilton’s first outing in Melbourne, too.
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“I feel they’d an unfortunate occasion in Melbourne,” Marko informed Motorsport.com. “However right here, from the primary session on, Ferrari was sturdy. And I imply, congratulations to Hamilton in his second race to be in pole place. It is in opposition to Leclerc, who’s a incredible qualifier. It means it is an unbelievable achievement.”
Marko is uncertain whether or not Hamilton’s efficiency will see him change into a risk to Verstappen. The Dutchman is aiming to earn a fifth world title in a row this season.
“It is troublesome to say,” mentioned Marko. “With this new asphalt, I am positive degradation might be much less and fewer in the course of the subsequent couple of occasions. After which we’ll see who can go this pace for a race distance.”
It was a extra cautious verdict by the Purple Bull boss, who earlier this yr claimed that Hamilton was not going to be a risk.
“The 2 race groups [McLaren and Ferrari] had the perfect base for his or her vehicles final season and have been in a position to carry out effectively on most circuits,” he informed Sport BILD. “They’ll construct on that, however not one of the drivers stand out for me.
“Charles Leclerc is nice in qualifying however makes loads of errors within the races. And Lewis Hamilton nonetheless has the pace, however can he preserve that up for an entire season? I’ve my doubts about that.
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“Even when he has an excellent Ferrari and we construct a mediocre Purple Bull for Max, I’d put my cash on Max.”
Hamilton himself was stunned by the end result. “I am a bit shocked by it,” he mentioned.
“I did not know once we would get to this place and, after final weekend, it was a troublesome begin to the week. I got here right here with aggression and wanting to enter the weekend and get the automotive into an important place.
“I began out immediately with a greater feeling within the automotive and I can not consider we’re on the entrance. I’m only a bit gobsmacked.”
