Lewis Hamilton explains late mistake that cost shot at F1 British GP pole

Lewis Hamilton believes an error at Turn 16 cost him a shot at the front row on the Formula 1 grid for Sunday’s British Grand Prix, with the nine-time Silverstone winner instead set to start from fifth.

With an uptick in performance last weekend in Austria, Ferrari looked strong in the early running here; Hamilton and team-mate Charles Leclerc set the pace with impressive laps at the end of Q2.

But Hamilton’s shot at a home grand prix pole was ruined by understeer on his final flying lap, with old rival Max Verstappen instead pipping the McLarens to top spot.

“Pretty decent qualifying. It’s generally been a decent weekend so far, and I think I was definitely feeling more comfortable with the set-up of the car, more comfortable with the balance of the car,” he told Sky Sports.

“I think right up until the last corner I was probably close to second on the grid but had a bit of understeer in Turn 16 and then just ended up losing a tenth and a bit.

“We are making progress. There’s still more to make, but we obviously had the upgrade in the last race. We’re improving our process, the way we go about our weekends. I definitely feel like we’re punching out better results. We’ve got to keep pushing.”

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Clive Mason / Getty Images

As well as the team taking positive steps forward, Hamilton has also been pleased with the growing relationship he is enjoying with key personnel since his switch from Mercedes, having had much-publicised team radio spats with race engineer Riccardo Adami.

“I’m really pleased with the progress. I’m really pleased with the direction. My engineer and I have been really gelling a lot better in terms of how we set the car up. I was much happier in the car,” he added.

“The lap was really, really nice up until just at the last corner, just a bit of understeer. I don’t know if it was the kerb that put me a little wide, but then I just lost it. I think it was just over a tenth, so that would definitely have put me in the front row.”

Hamilton admitted following last year’s emotional home win and collecting a 10th British Grand Prix success would be a tall order – but seemed positive of being able to give it his best shot.

“It’s been amazing. To be in the red car here and to see Brits shift from the outfits we had in previous years to red and embracing the Ferrari badge is pretty amazing. The support’s been incredible. My family’s here, which is great.

“I think it will be very, very hard to beat the McLarens or the Red Bulls, but when there’s a will, there’s a way, so I’ll give absolutely everything tomorrow. Yeah, a little bit far behind where I want to be, but with this amazing crowd, who knows?”

Photos from British GP – Practice & Qualifying