1996 F1 world champion Damon Hill believes Ferrari’s efficiency on the Belgian Grand Prix was “encouraging” after introducing their newest improve.
Ferrari launched a brand new rear suspension improve for the race at Spa-Francorchamps.
It allowed Charles Leclerc to select up his fifth podium of the 12 months, beating Max Verstappen to 3rd place on Sunday.
It was a shock as Leclerc completed nicely behind the main trio within the dash race.
Talking on the BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast, Hill felt Ferrari’s improve “clearly” had an affect.
“I feel so. I feel it’s encouraging,” Hill stated. “They’ve made some modifications that Lewis didn’t appear to really feel made any distinction. They’ve finished one thing to the rear suspension.
“Clearly the Ferrari was a bit of bit higher. The very fact it certified up there in third and a bit of bit nearer to McLarens than possibly up to now must be encouraging for them but it surely’s such a troublesome automotive. You’ll be able to inform. They’re not snug these guys.
“You’d put cash on Max getting by way of. He did a implausible job there within the Ferrari. He may use that automotive to maintain himself forward of Max.”
Hamilton’s final tempo unclear
It was a tougher weekend for Lewis Hamilton on the opposite aspect of the Ferrari storage.
The seven-time world champion didn’t progress past Q1 in both qualifying session.
Nevertheless, a well timed change onto the intermediates propelled Hamilton up the order into seventh.
Williams’ Alex Albon halted Hamilton’s progress past seventh.
Nonetheless, it was a powerful restoration drive by Hamilton, who began from the pit lane.
“Lewis, I feel as soon as he bought into the groove with it he may do one thing with that automotive,” Hill added. “He was unlucky he didn’t get by way of to Q3. We by no means actually noticed his final tempo.
“Charles may hold forward of Purple Bull, although. That’s a Purple Bull with upgrades with Max Verstappen driving at Spa.”
