‘Ferrari’s progress is very encouraging’

With the new floor introduced by Ferrari in the Netherlands at the end of August, and then the new “rubber” front wing in Texas, the SF-24 emerged as the fastest car in Formula 1 this Autumn. She won 3 of the last 5 matches, while without her own mistakes she could have won the other two as well.

This image leaves Lewis Hamilton very impressed, who made his decision at the beginning of 2024 to take advantage of the clause that gave him in his Mercedes contract to leave in 2025, to sign for the Scuderia.

Asked – in the paddock of this three-day Brazilian GP – about the battle for the constructors’ title, where McLaren and Ferrari are separated by 29 points, Hamilton initially focused on Mercedes’ poor performance this year, despite its three-win peak in the summer .

“It’s not something we like, not being in the battle for the championship, but we knew it was going to be difficult.” said the Briton. “I’m grateful for the results we achieved, like Silverstone, but I’m not concerned with the battle between Ferrari and her McLaren – although I’m very interested in what the future holds. I am very impressed with her progress Ferrari”.

The 39-year-old continued: “At the beginning of the year, if we go back to China, the Red Bull he had a lead of one second on the lap. It was amazing to see her first McLaren and then the Ferrari to close the gap. Her progress is very encouraging Ferrari”.

And in closing, Lewis talked about what he expects from his Mercedes this three-day (November 1-3) Brazilian GP: “It’s been a tumultuous year. At times the car made setbacks in its performance and aerodynamics. I hope we can repeat (at the Brazilian GP) what we did in Mexico, there is definitely momentum, and I hope we can get the best out of the car on a track that has been laid with new asphalt.”