Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Lewis Hamilton hopes the strategy will see Ferrari secure back-to-back grand prix victories – but admits stopping Mercedes in Austria will be a “tall order”.
Hamilton’s three-stop strategy reaped rewards last time out in Barcelona as the Briton registered his first victory since joining the Scuderia ahead of the 2025 season and snapped Kimi Antonelli’s five-race winning streak.
The 41-year-old will start third at the Red Bull Ring on Sunday, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc. Antonelli’s dramatic pole position grab with Mercedes team-mate George Russell.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
There was some confusion over the yellow flag as Russell took the Ferrari drivers to pole position
When asked if he thought Ferrari could top the podium this weekend, Hamilton said: “I think out of pure speed, no. Mercedes was very fast this weekend, it was six tenths (on Friday), but maybe there is a chance with strategy.
“I think it’s a tall order to try to win. We need to maximize the points for the team and try to put one of the Mercedes behind us if we can. If we get both of them, that would be mega.”
Hamilton added: “It’s also great to have Charles here because we can hopefully work together on a strategy and try to put pressure on (Mercedes).
“On Friday, we were far away, and we didn’t really understand why. But we made some changes to the car and closed that gap. I think we took a step forward for the race.
“Whether it will be enough to challenge Mercedes, I doubt, but if there is an opportunity I will do everything to take it. It is a long way to be 3 years, so hopefully we are in a good fight.”
Hamilton is chasing a second consecutive Grand Prix win
Russell: Mercedes have a huge fight on their hands in all aspects
The long stretch to Turn 3 Hamilton means there is likely to be jockeying for position up to that point and Russell reckons there will be “challenges from everyone” in the race as he looks to turn his pole position into a second win of the campaign.
The Mercedes driver said: “(Ferrari) are very fast and it’s going to be a challenge to keep them both close. We saw Lewis in Barcelona, how great his pace was.
“I think it will be challenging for them to overtake us in the straight line because we have the advantage in the straight line. But they have the advantage in the corners.
“If they split the strategy or put us under pressure, it can be hard to hold.”
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Russell talks Sky Sports F1 through Anthony Davidson’s lap that earned him pole
Championship leader Antonelli will start from fourth, ahead of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Verstappen’s late crash in qualifying sparked yellow-flag drama that led to Antonelli abandoning his final lap, with the young Italian believing it was a double yellow.
McLaren duo Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri completed the top eight.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Sky Sports F1’s David Croft and Anthony Davidson analyze the drama that unfolded during qualifying in Austria
Russell added: “Kimi is going to be super-fast. The McLarens look really quick
“I don’t know how Max’s last lap looked but with those new upgrades at Red Bull he was right there, so we have a massive fight on our hands from all angles.”
Looking ahead to the race, Antonelli, who leads Hamilton by 41 points in the drivers’ standings, said: “We will try to do our best. For sure, it will not be easy, especially with the tyres. The degradation is going to be high and we will try to do our best. There is a lot to play for.”
Sky Sports F1 live Austrian GP schedule
Sunday 28 June
7.35am: F3 Feature Race
9.05am: F2 feature race
10.50am: Porsche Supercup
12.30pm: Austrian GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
2pm: Austrian Grand Prix*
4pm: Austrian GP Reaction: Checkered flag
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*Also on Sky Sports main events
Formula 1’s European season continues on Sunday with the Austrian Grand Prix lights out at 2pm, the build-up from 12.30pm, live on Sky Sports F1 and the main event. Stream Sky Sports now.
