Lewis Hamilton is uncertain whether or not Mercedes can problem for victory on the F1 Dutch Grand Prix, regardless of having fun with a promising begin to the weekend.
Mercedes set the tempo on Friday at Zandvoort as George Russell pipped McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by 0.061 seconds to high a closely-fought second apply session.
Hamilton completed third-quickest in each FP1 and FP2 and was solely 0.111s off teammate Russell in Friday afternoon’s dry working. In the meantime, world championship chief Max Verstappen was solely fifth and admitted Purple Bull had been “a bit too gradual”.
“I felt okay at present. It was not a foul begin to the weekend,” Hamilton mentioned.
“Huge, massive distinction in comparison with final 12 months. The automobile is unquestionably feeling extra alive, and proper up there on the entrance.
“We perceive the automobile so a lot better now so to start out off on the fitting foot from the get-go, and simply making small tweaks from there, is unquestionably very, very useful. It makes our job extra pleasurable.”
The seven-time world champion mentioned he “didn’t actually get probably the most out of” his comfortable tyre lap in FP2, including: “There may be nonetheless efficiency left. I’ve started working a bit bit on the arrange. In any other case, it’s good.”
Requested if he feels Mercedes are within the combine for the win, Hamilton replied: “I don’t know whether or not or not it’s for the win. However we’re positively… not less than we’re within the high 5.”
Mercedes have received three of the final 4 races and Russell is anticipating “an in depth battle” with McLaren and Purple Bull.
“Actually tough on the market as a result of it was so, so windy, in all probability the windiest I’ve remembered within the final couple of years,” he mentioned.
“The automobile was performing rather well, acquired the upgrades on which appear to be working as anticipated. It seems like fairly an in depth battle with the McLarens, with Max, however it might all be totally different once more tomorrow.”
On Friday’s combined climate circumstances, Russell mentioned: “The primary six races, the automobile was off the tempo however the climate was constant and so they had been fairly simple race weekends for everybody.
“All of the sudden as quickly because the automobile’s been fast in Canada, Silverstone, all types have been thrown at us, however it’s the identical for everybody.
“I’m simply actually excited to be again and might’t wait to exit in qualifying and really feel that battle and pleasure that qualifying at all times affords. I’ve missed it.”
