From Motorsport · Ed Hardy · · 1m
Hamilton Calls Sepang Lap Best of 2026 Season
Hamilton claims Sepang qualifying lap is his best 2026 F1 performance.
In brief
Hamilton claims Sepang qualifying lap is his best 2026 F1 performance. Hamilton secured front row start at Sepang with fastest lap of 1m35.428s, ending six-race podium drought. Originally reported by Motorsport.
Hamilton's Sepang Qualifying
Hamilton set a 1m35.428s lap at Sepang for front row start alongside Max Verstappen.
“We've really been working so hard to progress, to dial in this car”
Hamilton's 2026 Season Performance
Hamilton described his Sepang lap as his best of the 2026 F1 season after six-race podium drought.
“It was probably my best lap of the year”
Hamilton's Championship Position
Hamilton is third in the 2026 F1 championship with front row start at Sepang.
“We've really been working so hard to progress, to dial in this car”
Hamilton's Qualifying Challenge
Hamilton hadn't taken front row since Hungary in July after fourth place in Malaysia Q3.
“It's such fine margins and it's like balancing a knife on its head”
Hamilton's Car Performance
Ferrari excels in 15 corners but struggles with straightline speed at Sepang.
“We do carry this deficit of straightline speed”
Hamilton's Race Strategy
Hamilton must balance cornering speed with straightline speed to avoid tire degradation.
“We have to push more through corners to try and make up for the losses in the straights”
Hamilton's Race Goal
Hamilton aims to end six-race podium drought with Sunday's grand prix at Sepang.
“I think he's got the pace generally to pull away”
The bottom line
Hamilton secured front row start at Sepang with fastest lap of 1m35.428s, ending six-race podium drought.
