Lewis Hamilton confirms additional consequence of FP3 smash

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed that his Ferrari car was lacking pace in qualifying compared to FP3 following his late-session crash.

The seven-time champion's preparations for qualifying took a hit after he made contact with the barrier towards the end of the middle sector in the dying moments of FP3.

Ferrari scrambled to repair the car in time for qualifying, with Hamilton successfully emerging from the garage to partake in the session.

Despite the fact he could only muster sixth on the road, Hamilton insisted that he maximised the potential of the car.

“The guys did a great job to repair the car, and these things happen,” Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. “You move on. 

“I maximised the best I could in qualifying. I think my laps were pretty decent.”

Hamilton has been in a strong run of form of late at Ferrari, with his crash on Saturday sparking surprise.

However, in the rush to ensure the car was able to take to the track for qualifying, Hamilton suggested that the SF-26 was not set up identically to the configuration he had in FP3.

“Something wasn't the same on the rear suspension, so the balance wasn't the same basically as the FP3, when the car was feeling really great,” he added.

“They pushed right until the last minute to get the thing fixed, I'm grateful they did.

“I hope the balance is still okay in the race.”