Hamilton warns tyre wear could shape Sepang fight with Verstappen
Hamilton qualified second behind Verstappen, but says Ferrari must manage its pace as teams prepare for demanding conditions at Sepang.
Lewis Hamilton will start alongside Max Verstappen on the front row at Sepang after qualifying second, 0.298 seconds behind the polesitter. It is the pair’s first shared front row since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton described his final qualifying lap as probably his best of the year and said a fight for the win would be “awesome”. He was cautious about Ferrari’s prospects, saying he did not know its race pace and expected Verstappen to have the speed to pull away.
Hamilton said Ferrari loses time on the straights and may need to push harder through corners to keep pace. With tyre degradation expected to be high, he warned that pushing too much could leave Ferrari with less tyre life for the race.
Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur said degradation, race pace and tyre management would be central to the event. He described qualifying as a good start but said the result would be decided on race day.
Kimi Antonelli qualified third behind Verstappen and Hamilton. Sky Sports reported that hot, humid conditions and Sepang’s abrasive surface are adding to the demands on tyres.
