Haas team principal Guenther Steiner was far from pleased ahead of Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix, with the Italian having been “unhappy” with Lewis Hamilton following qualifying.
Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg did excellently in qualifying to make Q3 for the second time this season; however, Steiner felt like Hamilton affected the German’s fastest lap.
The seven-time World Champion got worryingly close to the rear of Hulkenberg’s car as both drivers were preparing to start their final lap, something which Steiner believes the 38-year-old didn’t need to do.
He was at least pleased with Hulkenberg having made Q3, even if he could only manage 10th on the grid for the race.
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“I’m unhappy and happy today,” Steiner said after qualifying.
“There could’ve been more for us today because on the last run with Nico it wasn’t an ideal lap, down to a few circumstances.
“There was no need for Hamilton to be so close to Nico at the start of his last fast lap – and trying to get past him – as Lewis wasn’t on a fast lap.
“Then again, I’m happy because tomorrow we start P10 and P14 and everything seems to be going to plan and I think our race pace is good. Tomorrow, the mission is to get points.”
Whilst Hulkenberg was perhaps impacted by the incident with Hamilton, the Mercedes driver went on to put his W14 on the second row on the grid, after qualifying third.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was very pleased with Hamilton’s and George Russell’s performance in qualifying, with Russell having put his car on the front row of the grid.
“We just got it together now over the weekend,” Wolff said ahead of the race.
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“Just grinded away with putting performance in the car in terms of the right mechanical setup and I am happy.
“I think we learnt through the session and we have been open-minded and we changed the plan. I think it is good starting second and third. It has been a while since we had no one in front of our line in P2.
“We will just try to make the best out of it. Verstappen is in a league of his own but maybe we can then slot in.”