Lewis Hamilton may be starting his Italian Grand Prix further back than he’d like, but the seven-time world champion is brimming with optimism after a strong qualifying performance at Monza that underlined his and Ferrari’s progress.
The Briton was just a tenth shy of Charles Leclerc in Saturday’s shootout, earning fifth on the grid before a lingering penalty pushes him down to 10th for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.
But while that sets him up for a tough fight, Hamilton’s mood is upbeat.
“Definitely, definitely. I am really, really happy with the progress we’ve made particularly on my side of the garage,” he said after Saturday’s qualifying session.
“It’s definitely been a lot more solid. Last week, even more so this week. We’ve been right there, within a tenth. I’ve just got to keep working on it. I am seeing progress.”
Just a few weeks ago, Hamilton’s campaign looked to be wobbling. Knocked out in Q1 twice at Spa and then lapped out of the points in Hungary, the summer break could not have come at a better time. Now, the bounce-back is clear.
A Weekend Like No Other
If the improvement in form wasn’t enough, Hamilton is also soaking up the magic of Ferrari’s home race, where the Tifosi turn the stands into a sea of red.
“It’s been amazing being here with Ferrari,” he admitted. “I can’t even find the words for it to be honest. The fans here are really beautiful. The energy since Wednesday.
©Ferrari
“They’ve turned up in their thousands already with the event we had in the city in Milan. Here, when you leave the garage, when you get down to Turn 1, you see them on the left and right, you see red throughout.
“I don’t know what’s possible for tomorrow but I will find a way to wriggle my way through.”
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The spectacle, Hamilton explained, has surpassed even his own expectations of what racing for Ferrari at Monza would feel like.
“You try to imagine what it will be like. You see others that have come and gone, and had the experience.
“I remember when Seb [Vettel] was here, I watched him on the podium, but it’s different when you’re in it because then your interests are aligned. As obviously when I was in another team it’s not necessarily the case.
“The passion and the intensity of that passion, I’ve not maybe seen that anywhere around the world. Maybe Brazil have that in football but other than that I don’t see it.”
Hamilton knows his penalty means Sunday’s task will be steep, but he is determined to give the Tifosi something to cheer. With confidence restored, a Ferrari under him, and Monza’s grandstands roaring in red, he is ready to scrap.
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