Lewis Hamilton hails "monumental" Mercedes after Azerbaijan surprise

Hamilton, Baku, Mercedes — Photo: © LAT Images

Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Hamilton hails "monumental" Mercedes after Azerbaijan surprise

Hamilton recovered from three difficult practice sessions to qualify second

Ewan Gale

Saturday 5 June 2021 16:08

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Lewis Hamilton paid tribute to his Mercedes team after finishing a "monumental" second in a heavily disrupted Azerbaijan Grand Prix qualifying.

After struggling for pace all weekend and failing to reach the top 10 in Friday's second practice, the reigning F1 champion negotiated a stop-start session broken up by four red flags to out-qualify title rival Max Verstappen who starts third in his Red Bull.

"The lap was okay," said Hamilton, who lines up behind polesitter in Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

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"We definitely weren't expecting that. This is such a monumental result for us because we have been struggling like you wouldn't believe all weekend.

"We kept our composure, we continued to have difficult discussions in the background and challenge one another, never really taking no for an answer.

"We moved around and made so many changes over these two days just chasing our tails and it has been so difficult but the work overnight and particularly between the sessions was amazing from the team and I am really proud of everyone for keeping positive.

"To be up there and so close to these guys is a great, great start."

Hamilton hoping for race pace after making up for Mercedes "disaster"

Despite ambient temperatures rising on Saturday, wind levels picked up in Baku as well as shadows from the surrounding buildings cooling the track temperature.

Hamilton explained: "It doesn't help us because it is crazy trying to switch these tyres on, get them working and trying to find the envelope for this car has been a real... the biggest challenge we have had in a long time, trying to understand what the car really wants.

"She has not been happy all weekend, it has been a bit of a disaster so to be up here and Valtteri [Bottas] making it to the top 10 is just a massive leap and is really down to great, great, great teamwork."

On his chances for the race, he added: "Race pace was a lot better than our single-lap pace.

"We were miles off in a single lap and a lot closer in race pace. We don't understand why. I like to think hopefully we are in that same position so we can take the fight to these guys tomorrow."