Ferrari was left disappointed after Spanish Grand Prix qualifying in Madrid, despite Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest time on the opening runs of Q3 and briefly giving the Scuderia hope of pole position. The final attempts changed the picture, however, with Lewis Hamilton qualifying fourth and Charles Leclerc fifth.
The post-qualifying team radio messages highlighted two different explanations for Ferrari’s missed opportunity. Lewis Hamilton pointed to what he described as a problematic final set of tyres, while Charles Leclerc accepted responsibility for failing to put together his best possible lap.
Ferrari disappointment after briefly leading Madrid Q3
After Lewis Hamilton went fastest on the first attempt in Q3, Ferrari supporters had been given genuine reason to believe that pole position might be possible at the Madring. Instead, the closing stages brought another disappointment for the Maranello team.
Lewis Hamilton will start fourth, while Charles Leclerc lines up fifth. The two Ferrari drivers were separated by only six thousandths of a second, with Lando Norris taking pole position ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen.
The contrasting reactions from the two drivers were particularly revealing. The British driver immediately questioned the tyres after discovering his final position, whereas the Monegasque driver acknowledged that fourth place had been achievable and that he had not managed to maximise his lap.
Lewis Hamilton questions ‘dodgy’ tyre set after qualifying fourth
After crossing the line, Lewis Hamilton immediately asked race engineer Carlo Santi where Ferrari had ended up in the final classification.
Lewis Hamilton: “Where are we?”
Carlo Santi: “We’re P4.”
Lewis Hamilton: “Dodgy set of tyres. Sorry guys, I gave it everything.”
The seven-time world champion’s reference to a “dodgy” set suggested that he had not been satisfied with the behaviour or quality of the tyres on his decisive attempt. Nevertheless, Lewis Hamilton made clear over the radio that he had given everything in his effort to improve his position.
Charles Leclerc admits he did not put the lap together
The radio exchange on the other Ferrari told a different story. Race engineer Bryan Bozzi informed Charles Leclerc of the complete order at the front and revealed just how narrow the margin had been between the two SF-26s.
Bryan Bozzi: “P5. Norris P1, Antonelli P2, Max P3, Lewis P4. Six thousandths between you and Lewis.”
Charles Leclerc: “Yeah, that was achievable. I didn’t put it all together. Turn 1 and Turn 2 felt a little different compared with FP3.”
Charles Leclerc therefore felt that fourth place had been within reach but accepted that his final lap had not come together as required. The Monegasque driver also highlighted a change in feeling through Turns 1 and 2 compared with the final practice session.
Ferrari ultimately leaves Madrid qualifying with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc occupying fourth and fifth on the grid. After the promise of Lewis Hamilton’s provisional pole on the opening Q3 runs, the final outcome represented a frustrating conclusion to a session in which the Scuderia had briefly appeared capable of fighting for the very front.
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