Lewis Hamilton is not sure 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 observe 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 Crimson Bull had been “a bit too gradual”.
“I felt okay in the present day. It was not a foul begin to the weekend,” Hamilton mentioned.
“Massive, huge distinction in comparison with final yr. The automotive is unquestionably feeling extra alive, and proper up there on the entrance.
“We perceive the automotive 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 fulfilling.”
The seven-time world champion mentioned he “didn’t actually get essentially 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… a minimum of 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 Crimson Bull.
“Actually troublesome on the market as a result of it was so, so windy, most likely the windiest I’ve remembered within the final couple of years,” he mentioned.
“The automotive was performing very well, received the upgrades on which appear to be working as anticipated. It appears like fairly an in depth battle with the McLarens, with Max, however it might all be completely different once more tomorrow.”
On Friday’s combined climate situations, Russell mentioned: “The primary six races, the automotive 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 automotive’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 may’t wait to exit in qualifying and really feel that battle and pleasure that qualifying at all times gives. I’ve missed it.”
