Hamilton reassures Mercedes W08’s competitiveness!
Pushing all his rivals back by more than half a second, the three-time world champion got his Australian weekend off to a good start. His new team-mate did not disappoint. But his learning curve will have to keep up a fast pace, right from the next Qualifying session...
Hamilton: FP1 → 1st, 1:24.220 (22 laps) / FP2 → 1st, 1:23.620 (34 laps)
For a return to business, he could hardly have dreamed of better! Lewis Hamilton had a radiant day aboard the W08: “It’s great to be back in Australia!” he stated to journalists. “I am particularly thrilled to get back in the car, especially after a first day like that. It was perfect, 99% of it! After some issues in Barcelona, we questioned our actual level. We arrived with a radically different car: with a new floor and new wings.”
Already glimpsed during the second session of testing in Barcelona, these innovations clearly worked during the first laps on the Albert Park circuit: « In fact, the car is exactly at the expected level. The guys did a fantastic job! We showed good form on both short and long stints. The tires also worked well. »
A fine communicator, the Briton still replayed his part seen in Catalonia. Everything remains to be done, especially considering the potential unleashed by Scuderia Ferrari. Let us recall that the Mercedes were the only ones to have fitted the ultrasoft tires during the morning session.
« In FP1, the two Ferraris were not at their maximum. They were faster in FP2. I think Ferrari is in great shape. I also see that Red Bull has made a big step forward this weekend. But we are strong, if not stronger than them! »
Bottas: FP1 → 2nd, 1:24.803 (25 laps) / FP2 → 3rd, 1:24.176 (34 laps)
New member of a team that is a three-time world champion, Valtteri Bottas admits that he still has work to do, after experiencing two significant gaps compared to his garage neighbor (+0.583 in FP1 and +0.556 in FP2).
Particularly, the Finn focused his work on short relays.
« I am reasonably happy. We had a productive day, achieving all the relays we hoped for.
I feel like I still have work to do to find speed. It was only Free Practice, but I need to improve on the short runs. I was quite satisfied with my long runs in terms of pace. But I didn’t exploit the full potential in the flying lap series.
« I am not targeting any particular domain, but I know I have progress to make. »
In the background, the former Williams driver can still count on the support of his boss, Toto Wolff.
Valtteri must settle into the reigning world champion’s car. We have been very satisfied with him since the winter tests. Now, he must raise his game against the best Formula 1 driver currently. I am still confident: he will find his place within the team.
Also asked about an overall plan, the Austrian team principal was relieved by the performances displayed, with a dominant Lewis Hamilton.
« Lewis had a very good day. For the team, this was very important after the questions we faced in Barcelona. » A final statement as an admission, which nevertheless shows that the threat is real for the defending champion team.
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