Lewis Hamilton aimed a dig at Max Verstappen after an impressive qualifying session for Formula 1‘s Austrian Grand Prix as he targets his first podium for Ferrari.
Hamilton qualified in fourth place at the Red Bull Ring, after a positive session for the Scuderia in which he and team-mate Charles Leclerc sandwiched the McLaren of Oscar Piastri, the Monegasque occupying the front row with Lando Norris.
The SF-25’s floor upgrades have appeared to encourage a boost in its performance, with Hamilton, who has often cut a dejected figure this year, seeming buoyant by the realistic possibility of a top-three finish.
When asked if he felt his best result of the year was likely, provided he kept out of trouble, Hamilton voiced a cheeky aside towards his 2021 title rival.
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-120x86.webp)
“I mean, Max isn’t up there,” he told media including Motorsport Week, before adding, with a grin: “I won’t be bumping into anybody, that’s for sure.”
Hamilton will show ‘actions rather than words’ to break Ferrari drought
Aside from his Sprint Race victory in China, Hamilton is yet to taste any significant success with Ferrari, having needed time to feel his way into the team and its culture after 12 years with Mercedes.
This weekend’s race has proved to be a milestone so far, with Hamilton commenting that he felt “as fast” as Leclerc in qualifying, owing his inferior grid position to a “snap” in his last run.
But with the car appearing to be more to his liking, Austria is now the chance for him to cement a positive result.
Hamilton commented on the possibility of that all-important first top-three finish, referring to the 945 days he went without a Grand Prix win between 2021 and his Silverstone triumph last year.
“It feels like that 900-odd days thing with the win. Hopefully it won’t take 900 days,” he said.
“The last few races I’ve said, ‘Yeah, I can’t wait to get that podium’. So I’m not going to say it. I’m just going to put myself towards action, rather than words.”
READ MORE – Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur to be absent from F1 Austrian GP
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-350x250.webp)
![Alpine Managing Director Steve Nielsen [pictured with Executive Advisor Flavio Briatore] is stern in his belief Mercedes has acted correctly](https://www.motorsportweek.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Alpine-Steve-Nielsen-Flavio-Briatore-360x180.webp)
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