Hamilton Grabs P2 by 0.064s in Barcelona Qualifying as Ferrari Upgrades Narrow Mercedes Gap
Updated
Updated · ESPN · Jun 13
Hamilton Grabs P2 by 0.064s in Barcelona Qualifying as Ferrari Upgrades Narrow Mercedes Gap
3 articles · Updated · ESPN · Jun 13
Summary
Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday's Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix from second, his best grid spot since joining Ferrari, after finishing just 0.064 seconds behind George Russell's pole lap.
Friday's missed opening practice and a difficult buildup made the result unexpected: Hamilton said a break away from the track before qualifying helped him reset, while Ferrari's latest upgrades made the car "fantastic" in Q1.
Mercedes still looks stronger over a race distance, Hamilton said, and he faces an added challenge with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc only 10th after a qualifying accident.
The front-row start leaves Hamilton cautious for Turn 1 from the dirty side of the grid but encouraged that Ferrari has come closer to the championship leaders on outright pace.