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August 24, 2024 – Zandvoort, Netherlands – Lewis Hamilton heads into Sunday’s Dutch Grand Prix with renewed optimism after a dramatic turnaround in qualifying. The seven-time world champion secured fifth place on the grid, a significant improvement from his disappointing Sprint performance earlier in the weekend, and believes Ferrari can challenge the front-runners in the race.
“The car is in a much better place now,” Hamilton told reporters after Q3. “We made some changes before qualifying, and it felt like a completely different machine. I had to relearn it in just a few laps, but I’m much happier with the balance.”
Hamilton’s qualifying lap edged out teammate Charles Leclerc by just over a tenth of a second, placing both Ferraris on the third row. However, the gap to pole-sitter Lando Norris (McLaren) was three-tenths, with both Mercedes cars of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton’s former teammate Valtteri Bottas also ahead. The result suggests Ferrari still trails in pure pace, particularly on the straights where Mercedes-powered cars hold an advantage.
“We know we have a bit of a power deficit, but our race pace should be better,” Hamilton added. “The Sprint showed we can be competitive. I’m optimistic we can fight for positions in the top four if we execute the right strategy.”
Sprint promise vs qualifying puzzle
Saturday’s Sprint race had given Ferrari fans hope. Leclerc finished second, just 1.3 seconds behind winner Russell, and even overtook Norris for the runner-up spot late in the race. That performance, combined with the team’s consistent upgrades throughout the season, suggested Ferrari might be a genuine contender for pole.
But qualifying told a different story. Leclerc, who had been tipped to fight for pole after his Sprint speed, never looked comfortable. He struggled to find grip in each session and ultimately ended up sixth, admitting the team’s power strategy changes may have backfired.
“I don’t think conditions played a role,” Leclerc said. “We changed the power strategies too much during qualifying, and then in Q3, I had some weird things going on. At no point did I feel I had the potential for pole.”
The Monegasque acknowledged that overtaking will be difficult on the tight, winding Zandvoort circuit, but he remains hopeful that strategy can make a difference. “It will be a tough race, but the pace is there. We need to offset ourselves to the others and hope for a multi-stop race where we can gain an advantage.”
Vasseur: Race pace gives us confidence
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur emphasized that the team’s race pace, demonstrated in the Sprint, is a more reliable indicator of Sunday’s potential. “The Sprint race was very strong for us, especially on the soft tire compound,” Vasseur said. “We have a good comparison between the two compounds, which is probably the best preparation we can have for the race. It’s very difficult to overtake here, but with two or three pit stops, everything is open.”
Vasseur also confirmed that the latest upgrades to the SF-26, including a new floor introduced after Friday’s practice, are working as expected. “Every time we bring something this season, it works per the plan. We are not expecting big jumps, but small, consistent improvements. That’s the positive side of our development.”
What’s at stake for Ferrari?
Ferrari remains Mercedes’ closest challenger in both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships, but the gap to Red Bull and McLaren appears to be widening at certain circuits. Zandvoort, with its undulating layout and high-speed corners, was expected to suit Ferrari’s car, but the qualifying result suggests work remains.
Hamilton’s optimism, however, is grounded in the Sprint data. The SF-26 showed strong tire management and overtaking capability, which could be crucial if the race becomes a strategic battle. “Fifth is not the greatest, but it could be far worse,” Hamilton said. “I’m grateful to be there, but I wish I was further ahead. Nevertheless, we’ll give it everything.”
Independent analyst and former F1 engineer Gary Anderson pointed out that Ferrari’s race pace in the Sprint was impressive, but the team must address qualifying inconsistency. “The car is clearly capable of fighting for podiums, but they need to figure out why the balance shifts so much between sessions,” Anderson wrote for The Race. “If they can lock in a consistent setup, they could be a threat.”
Looking ahead to the race
The Dutch Grand Prix is expected to be a two- or three-stop race, with tire degradation playing a key role. Ferrari’s relative strength in the Sprint on soft tires suggests they may have an edge early in the race, but the long-run pace of Mercedes and McLaren remains a concern.
Hamilton, who has won the Dutch GP twice in his career, knows that starting fifth is not ideal, but he has pulled off bigger comebacks. “It’s about staying in the window, managing the tires, and being ready when opportunities arise. I’m optimistic we can challenge the cars ahead.”
With the summer break over, the F1 season enters a critical phase. Ferrari needs to maximize points at Zandvoort to keep pressure on its rivals. Whether Hamilton’s optimism translates into a podium—or even a win—will depend on execution, strategy, and a bit of luck.
