Lewis Hamilton admits Mercedes could face rain circumstances once they arrive at Spa-Francorchamps for qualifying on Saturday after a “actually dangerous” first day on the Belgian Grand Prix.
Regardless of the closely revised W15 being outfitted with a brand new spherical of updates at Spa on Friday, Mercedes fell behind chief McLaren on F1’s longest lap on the finish of the second observe session One second.
George Russell was sixth, whereas Hamilton’s run on the mushy tires suffered when setting the quickest lap of the second quarter, leaving him two tenths behind his teammate in tenth.
“It was a really dangerous day,” Hamilton admitted afterwards.
“I do not actually know what to say! Clearly, it has been nice in the previous couple of video games, however immediately it felt utterly totally different.
“We’ve got been working exhausting. The primary session was not excellent, however within the second session we made some adjustments and it was nice at first, then once I went on the mushy tyres, I could not enhance, there was lots of steadiness query.
“The category was higher, however everybody else was doing higher. So being 1.2 seconds behind just isn’t good.”
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David Croft and Karun Chandhok assessment Friday’s Belgian Grand Prix observe session on SkyPad
Though Friday’s session was not affected by the climate, a full race weekend is a rarity on the quick, undulating Belgian circuit in the course of the capricious Ardennes Forest, with moist climate anticipated on Saturday.
Hamilton admitted rain might save Mercedes on Friday’s proof.
“That is nice, as a result of if it was dry now, we would not be in one of the best locations,” he mentioned.
“However we are able to definitely make some adjustments in a single day.
“If it rains, it opens up a bit bit and hopefully we are able to do higher. I believe the automobile must be higher within the moist than within the dry.”
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Hamilton says the alternate between him and Lando Norris didn’t hassle him nor did he take it personally
Russell hopes to show issues round for rivals at weekend
Russell admitted that McLaren and Purple Bull (as was the case final week at Hungary’s Hungaroring) are nonetheless the groups to beat, though he additionally curiously hinted that the previous is likely to be the higher crew in comparison with others. At all times working within the highest energy engine mode.
The Briton expressed hope that Mercedes can discover setup enhancements to shut the hole over the weekend.
“We’ve got some work to do tonight. I believe McLaren is certainly a step forward of us in the intervening time, in addition to Purple Bull,” Russell mentioned.
“So simply proceed to guage and go from there.”
He added: “It is solely been 10 minutes since I jumped out of the automobile, so I must see the long-term tempo with excessive gas. Then I believe the McLaren is at most energy, which lets you do ten minutes of the track What number of.
“so [Saturday] It is positively a unique day and I am certain we are able to discover out extra tonight. However we frequently have actually good Fridays and everybody else catches up on Saturdays, so hopefully we are able to do the identical this weekend.
Sky Sports activities F1 reside broadcast of Belgian Grand Prix schedule
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A glance again at a number of the most dramatic moments from the Belgian Grand Prix through the years
Saturday, July 27
8:45 AM: F3 dash
11.15am: Belgian Grand Prix observe three (begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 dash
2.15pm: Belgian Grand Prix qualifying preparations
3pm: Belgian Grand Prix qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, July 28
7:25 am: F3 Particular Race
8.55am: F2 Particular Race
10.40am: Porsche Tremendous Cup
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday – Preparations for the Belgian Grand Prix*
2pm: Belgian Grand Prix*
4pm: Checkered flag: Reactions to the Belgian Grand Prix
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
* Additionally broadcast reside on Sky Sports activities Principal Occasion
System 1 racing continues this weekend, with the final race earlier than the F1 summer season break being the Belgian Grand Prix. You possibly can watch each race from Spa-Francorchamps reside on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Monthly Membership – no contract, cancel anytime
