Hamilton and Leclerc struggle with Ferrari race pace in Austria
Autosport • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 28, 2026, 5:12 PM
Last updated Jun 28, 2026
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc faced significant challenges during the Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix, struggling with rear tyre degradation. Hamilton, starting in third, attempted to apply pressure early but ultimately shifted to a three-stop strategy that did not yield the desired results. Leclerc, who began in second, fell back significantly and finished eighth. Both drivers expressed confusion over the car's handling, particularly in maintaining rear grip through the race, despite feeling positive during qualifying. Team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged that the team overexerted their tyre strategy early, resulting in a lack of pace and overheating issues for the power unit.
- •Hamilton dropped from third to a challenging race position.
- •Leclerc finished eighth after starting second.
- •Both drivers reported issues with rear tyre grip.
- •Ferrari had overheating problems affecting performance.
- •Vasseur noted that initial strategy decisions backfired.
- 5:47 PMAutosport — Hamilton and Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari pace in Austrian GP
- 5:12 PMYahoo Sports — Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari race pace in Austria
- 5:12 PMMotorsport.com — Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari race pace in Austria
"Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are seeking answers on their Ferrari's crippling rear tyre degradation that saw both drivers slide backwards in a sweltering Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Starting from third, Hamilton was keen to put pressure on leader George Russell after getting past his team-mate Leclerc and fighting out an entertaining duel with Red Bull's Max Verstappen early on. But ...Keep reading
"Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are seeking answers on their Ferrari's crippling rear tyre degradation that saw both drivers slide backwards in a sweltering Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Starting from third, Hamilton was keen to put pressure on leader George Russell after getting past his team-mate Leclerc and fighting out an entertaining duel with Red Bull's Max Verstappen early ...Keep reading
"Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both struggled for race pace as they dropped out of podium contention in Formula 1's Austrian Grand Prix
Sources
External links- AutosportJun 28, 2026, 5:47 PMHamilton and Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari pace in Austrian GP
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are seeking answers on their Ferrari's crippling rear tyre degradation that saw both drivers slide backwards in a sweltering Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Starting from third, Hamilton was keen to put pressure on leader George Russell after getting past his team-mate Leclerc and fighting out an entertaining duel with Red Bull's Max Verstappen early on. But ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJun 28, 2026, 5:12 PMLewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari race pace in Austria
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both struggled for race pace as they dropped out of podium contention in Formula 1's Austrian Grand Prix
- Motorsport.comJun 28, 2026, 5:12 PMLewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc confused by woeful Ferrari race pace in Austria
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc are seeking answers on their Ferrari's crippling rear tyre degradation that saw both drivers slide backwards in a sweltering Formula 1 Austrian Grand Prix. Starting from third, Hamilton was keen to put pressure on leader George Russell after getting past his team-mate Leclerc and fighting out an entertaining duel with Red Bull's Max Verstappen early ...Keep reading
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