Lewis Hamilton has hailed Ferrari's performance in the qualifying session at the Austrian Grand Prix as a 'fantastic result.' The seven-time world champion secured fourth place on the grid, while his teammate Charles Leclerc clinched second, marking their best qualifying result since Monaco.

Ferrari's Strategic Upgrades

Ferrari introduced a new floor this weekend, their first car upgrade since the Bahrain Grand Prix in April. Hamilton emphasized the team's hard work, stating, 'The team have worked hard back in the factory to bring us a new floor this weekend. For us to be much closer and be on the second row, and for Charles who is on the front row, I think that's really fantastic.'

Hamilton's Close Call

Hamilton, who was just 0.09 seconds slower than Leclerc, believes he could have secured second place had he optimized his final lap. 'My last lap wasn't perfect, I think that could have been, if I had finished that, would have been second,' he said. Despite this, Hamilton remains optimistic, noting, 'So there's lots of positives to take out from that session.'

Teamwork and Progress

Amid recent criticism in the Italian media, Hamilton praised Ferrari's teamwork and operational excellence. 'Ultimately, we continue to work together, protect each other, block out all the noise and just keep our heads down,' he said. He also commended Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari's team principal, for their collaborative efforts. 'We're working to put all the pieces of the puzzle in the right place, step by step,' Hamilton added.

Leclerc's Perspective

Leclerc expressed his satisfaction with the qualifying results, acknowledging the challenges Ferrari has faced this season. 'Very happy to be second. It's been a very difficult season for us qualifying-wise,' he said. Leclerc also noted the positive impact of the new floor but emphasized the need for further evaluation. 'It definitely helped us,' he said. 'How much, we need to see it in different characteristics of tracks.'

Looking Ahead

Ferrari's improved performance at the Red Bull Ring sets a promising tone for the rest of the season. With strategic upgrades and a focus on teamwork, the team aims to continue their upward trajectory in the Formula 1 championship.

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