Lewis Hamilton: “We stick together and protect each other. I’m working with Fred to complete the Ferrari puzzle”. F1 Austria GP: Lewis Hamilton secures best Ferrari qualifying result .

Lewis Hamilton achieved his best qualifying result as a Ferrari driver at the Austrian Grand Prix, securing fourth place on the grid — his first second-row start of the season. In his 11th race with the team, the British champion finally saw a breakthrough with the SF-25.

“I’m happy with the direction we’ve taken. I feel I’m getting closer to Charles in terms of performance, and he’s someone who knows this car very well,” Lewis Hamilton told reporters in the paddock. He also praised the team’s execution in qualifying, a key focus for team principal Frédéric Vasseur: “The team did a great job today operationally — it was our best qualifying session. In terms of setup, I’m now closer to Charles than I’ve ever been.” – the seven-time Formula 1 world champion pointed out.

Lewis Hamilton continues to underline that his role in Ferrari’s transformation goes beyond being just a driver. Speaking to Sky UK, he reiterated that he’s actively involved in helping rebuild the team into a consistent winning force.

“We stick together and protect each other,” he said. “We shut out the outside noise and keep our heads down. The team is amazing and we’re working hard. I’m working closely with Fred — we’re trying to put every piece of the puzzle in place, step by step. You can’t do everything at once, but I’m really happy with the progress. This is a great result, and it’s thanks to the hard work that went into bringing this new floor update.”

Lewis Hamilton is now aiming to end a 12-race podium drought. If he fails to finish in the top three on Sunday, it would mark his longest run without a podium since starting his Formula 1 career.

“At every Grand Prix, I keep saying I’m looking forward to my first Ferrari podium — so today I won’t say anything,” he concluded. “I’ll stay quiet and try to do a better job tomorrow.”