Hamilton Glad Ferrari Didn't Use Him for Leclerc Tow Tactic

Ferrari opted against using Lewis Hamilton to provide a slipstream for Charles Leclerc during Monza's Q3, a strategy Hamilton himself would have opposed. Despite Hamilton facing a five-place grid penalty for a Dutch GP yellow flag infringement, Ferrari chose not to implement this controversial tactic.

Why it matters

The decision highlights the complex dynamics within F1 teams, particularly regarding strategic sacrifices. A slipstream at Monza can offer a critical advantage, but sacrificing one driver for another's pole position is a contentious issue. Hamilton's clear stance against such a move underscores a professional ethos, even when he's not directly competing for pole.

The details

• No Tow Strategy: Leclerc, a strong contender for pole at Ferrari's home race, ultimately qualified fourth. Ferrari did not explore using Hamilton, who qualified fifth before his penalty, to give Leclerc a crucial tow.
• Hamilton's Position: Hamilton explicitly stated, "It’s not something I ever did in any of my other teams, potentially end up sacrificing one of the drivers." He also emphasized the need to qualify as high as possible due to his own penalty, aiming for maximum points.
• Performance Update: Hamilton expressed satisfaction with his car's progress, noting improvements from the Zandvoort race. He finished Q3 just over a tenth behind Leclerc, seeing it as a positive step despite not having the ultimate pace.

What's next

Hamilton will start 10th on Sunday's grid due to his penalty. Given the tight qualifying margins – less than a second separated all Q3 combatants – overtaking will be challenging. However, Hamilton is banking on the car's good top-line speed, a strong start, and effective strategy to make up ground. He remains focused on working with his engineers to extract more performance and move up the field in the race.