Hamilton's P4 Finish in Austin Fuels Podium Hopes

Lewis Hamilton continued his impressive progression with the Ferrari SF-25, securing a P4 finish in the Austin Sprint race, notably ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc. This result has boosted his confidence for a potential podium finish in the main race.

Why it matters:

After a challenging start to the season, Hamilton's consistent performance and ability to outperform Leclerc in recent races signal his successful adaptation to the Ferrari car. A strong showing, particularly a podium, would be a significant milestone for him at Ferrari and could provide crucial momentum for the team.

The Details:

• Hamilton finished P4 in the Austin Sprint, surpassing Charles Leclerc, marking a trend since the Dutch Grand Prix where he has increasingly outpaced his teammate.
• Reflecting on the Sprint, Hamilton noted, "The car was the same as it was in Sprint Qualifying. The pace was decent. It felt a little bit better in race trim. The delta wasn't as big to everyone around [us]."
• He skillfully avoided a multi-car incident at Turn 1 involving Fernando Alonso, Nico Hulkenberg, Oscar Piastri, and Lando Norris, which led to multiple DNFs.
• "I just managed to avoid the drama at Turn 1. I didn't really position my car that well. I saw Alonso on the inside, so went to the right and left the door open for Charles. The start was good. A shame I couldn't get close enough to get in the top three but I'm hoping for a better qualifying today, so fingers crossed," Hamilton explained.
• Despite the strong P4, Hamilton is on the verge of an unwanted record: becoming the Ferrari driver with the most starts without a podium. However, his current form suggests Austin could be where he finally breaks this streak.

What's next:

Hamilton's strong Sprint performance sets him up for a promising main race in Austin. Given his historical success at COTA, often referred to as 'Hamilton's playground,' a podium finish is a real possibility. This would not only be a personal achievement but also a significant morale booster for Ferrari as they push to close the gap to their rivals.