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Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff believe they could have been on pole has they “gambled” more in Belgian Grand Prix Qualifying.
Lewis Hamilton qualified for the Belgian Grand Prix in P3, but due to Max Verstappen’s ten-place grid penalty, he will start the race from P3.
After the session, the Briton explained the team got the timing a bit wrong in his last stint.
“I was comfortable, always comfortable in these conditions,” Lewis said.
“I do think we could have been further up if we got timing perfect in that last stint but we nearly didn’t get through Q1.
“Not through true pace, it was just because they brought me in, and then at the end we only had one set of tyres and the three guys ahead had another set.”
He added he believes he could have even been on pole.
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“For sure, definitely can’t complain, when I looked at my theoretical time I should have been second, but I think if I had another tyre at the end I could have got pole, but it’s all ifs and buts.”
As for the race on Sunday, Lewis said:
“There’s a slight chance we could maybe fight for a podium but I think it’s going to be tough as we have the McLarens behind, a quick Red Bull ahead, and another quick Red Bull that’s going to come through, and the Ferrari is just there with us in terms of performance.
“I think the race pace was strong for the other guys, I’m hoping the changes we have made overnight put the car in a slightly better place, and it’ll be how I drive it tomorrow that will really seal the deal.
“Or I’ll go backwards,” he concluded.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff agrees that a pole position was possible.
“We were out early and chose the conservative path,” the Austrian said.
“We could probably have started from pole position if you had done it like Leclerc, who gambled on the fact that it was dry in the end, which worked for him.”
Toto added he believes Mercedes’ main rival in the race will be McLaren.
“In the long runs they [Ferrari] were not so good yesterday in the dry. It will be dry, that’s why we think it will be a race with the McLarens. Then Verstappen may join from behind.
“Yesterday he was absolutely the benchmark, and that’s why I think he will also be tomorrow,” Wolff concluded.
