Lewis Hamilton Frustrated by Ferrari Pace After Fifth-Place Finish at Austrian Grand Prix

Posted : 29 June 2026

Lewis Hamilton voiced his frustration with Ferrari's performance after finishing fifth in Sunday's Austrian Grand Prix, pointing to a lack of straight-line speed and persistent tyre issues that prevented him from challenging for a podium finish.

The seven-time Formula One world champion started the race from third on the grid but was unable to maintain his position. Despite securing his maiden Ferrari victory just two weeks earlier at the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton dropped from second to third in the drivers' standings after Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli finished third and George Russell claimed victory in Austria.

Reflecting on the race, Hamilton described it as physically demanding due to the intense heat and admitted that none of the tyre compounds worked in his favour throughout the afternoon.

He also acknowledged a poor getaway from the start, although he briefly found encouragement after overtaking teammate Charles Leclerc and settling into second place behind Russell during the opening laps. However, Hamilton said his rear tyres quickly lost performance, making it increasingly difficult to maintain his pace.

The British driver explained that the balance of his Ferrari remained inconsistent on every tyre set, leaving him struggling for grip and confidence as the race progressed.

Hamilton also highlighted Ferrari's ongoing lack of power, revealing that the team was approximately six-tenths of a second slower than its rivals on the straights during Friday's running. He stressed that Ferrari urgently needs its next engine upgrade if it hopes to compete consistently at the front.

Leclerc endured a similarly difficult afternoon, finishing eighth after failing to make significant progress during the race.

Hamilton enjoyed an entertaining early battle with Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who eventually recovered to finish second, but admitted Ferrari simply lacked the pace to remain in contention with the frontrunners.

Looking ahead, Hamilton expressed optimism about returning to Silverstone for next weekend's British Grand Prix, a circuit where he has enjoyed unprecedented success with a record nine victories.

Although excited to race in front of his home fans, Hamilton acknowledged that Silverstone's long straights could once again expose Ferrari's current performance deficit. He remains hopeful that the team can improve the car before the British Grand Prix and provide a more competitive package.

Lewis Hamilton Frustrated by Ferrari Pace After Fifth-Place Finish at Austrian Grand Prix

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