Lewis Hamilton hails Ferrari process improvement after P3 qualifying at Mexico GP

Lewis Hamilton praised Ferrari's improved processes and his own post-summer progress

Lewis Hamilton has championed the improved processes at Ferrari after securing P3 on the starting grid for the Mexico Grand Prix.

The seven-time champion is set to start the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in third behind polesitter Lando Norris and his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in second.

"This is the first time we've both [Hamilton and Leclerc] been in the top three in qualifying this year and the team truly deserve it," Hamilton explained after the session.

"We are just working as hard as we can. We've not really moved the car forward necessarily in development, but we've extracted more from it and the processes are better."

The 40-year-old is hoping to make the most of the long run to Turn 1, identifying P3 as a "kind of perfect" starting point.

"P3 is kind of the perfect spot at this track, so I'm hoping I can make the most of that.

"Our race pace is not too bad. It's difficult to know, but we'll try and give it a good race."

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Photo by: Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images

Since joining Ferrari at the start of the season, Hamilton has struggled to adapt to the Maranello outfit. While he secured his first sprint race win with Ferrari in China, Hamilton is yet to celebrate on the top step of the podium at a grand prix with the historic team.

Hamilton's best grand prix finish this year to date is fourth place, which he scored in the Emilia-Romagna, Austrian, British and United States Grands Prix.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Hamilton discussed his progress with Ferrari in more detail.

"In terms of the season, I think we're seeing a lot of progress. Particularly on my side since the summer break. I think there's been some small tweaks I have had to my approach and to the work that I'm doing. The guys have been making progress.

"I've been feeling much better in the car. And I feel like each weekend is getting better. It's taken a long time to get to this point. But progress takes time. So I do see this year really as just foundation building. Every track that I go to is the first time I'm in a Ferrari with this car.

"With this characteristic of a car. The driving style that I have to use compared to what I experienced in the previous years. So I'm hoping for a good weekend this weekend."