Lewis Hamilton on progress, Monza tension and having Charles Leclerc back
Lewis Hamilton struck an upbeat tone on where Ferrari stand heading into the second half of the season.
"We've built a really good foundation with this first part of the year and we just have to continue to build on it," he said. "The team has worked incredibly hard to bring upgrades weekend in and weekend out."
"We've just obviously taken a step with the engine, which is a real positive. I think it's really important to just acknowledge that."
He was careful not to put a timeline on when that progress would translate into results at the very front. "I really believe that we will get to where we're going. Whether it's next week, several weeks' time or next year, we'll just keep pushing."
That optimism came with an edge, though, when the conversation turned to Monza. Hamilton was not entirely happy with his team mate after the two went side by side at the start, an incident that saw him dip a wheel in the gravel and lose places.
Asked about it, he chose to frame things in terms of the relationship rather than the moment itself. "I think we've got a good racing relationship," he said. "I think the fact that we are grown ups and are able to communicate with each other, which we have."
That opening-lap clash was not the end of Charles Leclerc's afternoon. He went on to crash heavily later in the race, though he was able to walk away from the impact.
"I'm really firstly happy that he's really healthy and he's back here this weekend," Hamilton added, "because we need him in the fight to challenge Mercedes together."
Comments