Beating Verstappen 'out of the question' – Hamilton racing with Norris and Perez
Seven-time Formula One champion Hamilton qualified in fourth behind Sergio Perez, surprise 2021 star Lando Norris and championship leader Max Verstappen, who has pole.
Verstappen, who is 18 points clear, won at the Red Bull Ring last week and is the only F1 driver with three victories at his team’s home circuit.
Fourth place (Verstappen in 2018) is the furthest back a race winner has triumphed from since Spielberg returned to the calendar in 2014, but Hamilton does not believe such a recovery is possible.
On the weekend he committed to Mercedes until 2023, the Briton believes he is set to tie his longest winless run over a single season (five races – also twice in 2016).
“I don’t,” Hamilton replied when asked if he thought he could steal a strategic win. “We definitely can’t take it to the Red Bulls, obviously. They’re just too fast.
“But maybe we can step up, I guess my race now is with the two guys ahead of me – trying to get past them.”
