George Russell has conceded that Mercedes’ possibilities of a powerful weekend on the British Grand Prix rely upon cooler climate circumstances.
The very best-placed Mercedes driver in FP2 at Silverstone was Kimi Antonelli.
The Italian was sixth-fastest within the last classification, over 0.5s down on McLaren’s Lando Norris.
Russell fared barely worse within the second Mercedes, ending up in eighth place, almost two-tenths off his teammate.
Mercedes have sometimes carried out worse in hotter circumstances all through the season.
With Saturday and Sunday at Silverstone anticipated to be considerably cooler, Russell stays optimistic that Mercedes will discover an upturn in efficiency.
“Nicely after as we speak, not very shut however it’s been slightly bit hotter as we speak. The monitor was 40 levels and the remainder of the weekend it cools down,” he stated.
“It’s slightly bit irritating for us that each single we’re on the mercy of the climate and we have to enhance that, particularly with now we’re coming into the summer season months.
“We’re doing the whole lot we will to enhance it. I believe our fortunes will flip barely by the remainder of the weekend and it’ll come in direction of us.
“We are able to’t be on the mercy of the climate, and we’re proper now.”
Mercedes “didn’t really feel too dangerous” – Antonelli
Antonelli loved a extra constructive session within the Mercedes W16.
Whereas the 18-year-old should serve a three-place grid penalty after crashing Max Verstappen out of the opening lap of the Austrian Grand Prix, he was content material together with his Friday.
“It was not the simplest of the day,” Antonelli defined.
“I’m having various pleasure driving round right here. At present, temperatures have been fairly a bit larger than anticipated. General, I’ve to be sincere, the automobile didn’t really feel too dangerous.
“Clearly, there’s a bit of labor to do and on the driving as nicely. I believe tomorrow is hopefully going to be loads cooler – that’s what the forecast is saying. Let’s see what we will do.”
Forward of Sunday’s race, Mercedes sit third within the F1 constructors’ standings, one level behind Ferrari.
Mercedes claimed their first victory of the season on the Canadian Grand Prix in June.
Cooler monitor temperatures and a extra suited monitor structure performed into Mercedes’ strengths.
