Lewis Hamilton compared the passion of Ferrari’s dedicated fans, known as the Tifosi, to that of Brazilian football supporters. Despite the immense support at Monza, Hamilton expressed regret to his team as Ferrari could not challenge for pole position at their home Grand Prix.
Hamilton, who faced a five-place grid penalty, will begin today’s race from the 10th position. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari’s driver, secured the fourth-fastest time as the team opted not to use Hamilton to assist in drafting down the straightaways at the high-speed Monza circuit.
Acknowledging his limited role, Hamilton privately apologized over team radio for his performance. Although not broadcast on Sky Sports, he later shared his satisfaction with the team’s progress, aiming to continue improving.
Reflecting on his experience as a Ferrari driver, Hamilton praised the passionate fans who cheered him on throughout the race weekend. The energy and enthusiasm displayed by the fans left a profound impact on him, comparing the fervor to the support seen in Brazilian football but noting the unique intensity of the Tifosi.
Leclerc briefly led the time charts during qualifying but was overtaken by Max Verstappen, realizing his initial lap was near perfection. Despite missing the pole position, Leclerc expressed contentment with his performance and placement for the race.
Looking ahead to the race, Leclerc remained cautious about his chances of repeating his previous victory at Monza. He acknowledged the increased difficulty this year but remained open to surprises, drawing inspiration from last year’s unexpected win.
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