Hamilton: Harder to read track conditions from inside the car

  • Published on 03 Aug 2019 13:46
  • comments 0
  • By: Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton says it is much more difficult to read track conditions when it is raining from inside the car than it is from the television or being trackside.

The second practice session on Saturday was hit with rain, while last weekend's German Grand Prix saw chaos unfold amid mixed conditions.

MORE: Mercedes won't intervene to secure German GP deal for 2020FP3: Hamilton heads Verstappen after shortened final practice

Hamilton says that from inside the car, it is only clear if it's completely wet or dry, and it's tough to read where the grip is, as it's easier to see the track surface from the television screens.

"The weather was really tricky," Hamilton said of Friday's running. "When you're driving through the rain, from the pit lane it looks like it's spitting, or the camera it looks like it's just spitting and it's hard to know if it's damp or dry. 

"But when you're driving through it, it looks like it's raining a lot. That's the tricky thing out there, and it's quite hard to spot the patches, so it just looks damp the whole time or dry the whole time."

Hamilton says that he enjoyed a strong day, as the car delt positive in the opening practice session, before he made changes for FP2, which he didn't get to drive due to the mixed conditions. 

"FP1 was a good session. I naturally wanted to come back into the weekend feeling better, getting straight back into the car and getting on it. Straight from the get-go, the balance was quite nice, we made some changes over the break, unfortunately, I didn't get to test it."

Last time out in Germany, Hamilton was sick throughout the weekend - but affirms that he is now feeling much better. 

"I was a million times better getting back in the car this morning, and the afternoon. I'm still sweating a lot, sweating out whatever bug I had. But that's a good thing."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 18:46

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 18:46

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,480
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 220
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar