Mercedes Lewis Hamilton finished FP1 is Sochi in P3 with Valtteri Bottas in P4. At the end of FP2 Hamilton was P1 and Bottas – P2. Mercedes’ programme focused on understanding the tyres performance around the track as well as testing aerodynamic upgrades the team brought to Sochi.
Lewis Hamilton
Sochi has been one of the weaker circuits for me in the past, particularly last year. So I’ve done a lot of work to understand the balance and see where I can improve to try and rectify this – today has been good in that sense. From every race we’re learning more and more and particularly the last few races have helped us to really gauge which foot we need to start on for the weekend. We’ve brought more upgrades this weekend; there’s so much work going on at home and it’s just really encouraging when you come to a race and you get an upgrade, knowing that this late in the season we’re also already working on next year’s car – it motivates me to get the best out of everything. It’s been a good day for us, so let’s hope that it continues tomorrow.
Valtteri Bottas
It was a good day for us; on paper it looks like we should be competitive, but it’s only Friday. The initial feeling of the car was good; however, there’s still work to do. It’s so difficult to get a perfect set-up for each corner on this track, because the balance is so different throughout the lap. We brought some aerodynamic updates to the car that worked well and added more grip; we’ll see if that’s going to be enough for the weekend. It seemed like Ferrari weren’t really showing everything they have, so they will probably be stronger tomorrow. I think it’s going to be very close, so we’ll have to keep pushing.
Hamilton and Bottas battle for P1 ?
Just 0.101 between P3 and P5 ⏱
Missed FP2 at the #RussianGP? ??
Here are all the best bits from @SochiAutodrom ?#F1 pic.twitter.com/Dmfz2u2Adt
— Formula 1 (@F1) September 28, 2018
