Lewis Hamilton said his Mercedes was driving “like a rattlesnake” but the Briton tamed his car on Saturday to qualify fifth for the Australian Grand Prix in a much-improved performance.
The seven-time world champion has had a torrid time so far this season as the German manufacturer struggled with porpoising, or bouncing at high speed.
It continues to hinder Hamilton, but fifth was a huge improvement from the 16th he qualified for at the last grand prix in Saudi Arabia.
Only Friday he had complained there had been no improvement since Jeddah, but struck a different tone after his efforts on Saturday in Melbourne.
“I’m really grateful for the work at the factory in turning the car around from yesterday and I almost got P4, which would have been cool, but we’ll be fighting for that position tomorrow,” he said.