Hamilton searching for minor gains after 'solid' Friday

  • Published on 20 Sep 2019 17:15
  • comments 0
  • By: Dieter Rencken & Fergal Walsh

Lewis Hamilton described his opening day of running as "solid", as he aims to make small improvements ahead of Saturday's qualifying session.

The Mercedes driver ended the second practice session on top of the timesheets, just under two-tenths ahead of Max Verstappen.

With the heat and humidity providing the drivers with a major concentration challenge in Singapore, Hamilton states that it is always a "shock" when you return to drive in the Asian country.

"It's been a good day, it's been a hot day," he said. "It's always a shock to the system when you get into the car here. It's so bumpy, it's a long, long lap and it's like a sauna in the car.

"But it was a solid day, we got through our run plan and we're continuing to improve the car, so I was really happy with it."

"I felt much better int he car today than I have for a while, so I hope that stays over the weekend. I think they re-did a few patches of tarmac on the circuit, managing to get the tyres working well.

"If you can get into a groove and rhythm here, it's such a beautiful lap. I've really been enjoying it."

Hamilton added that "nothing is perfect", but that there is nothing troubling missing from the team and its pace.

The five-time world champion says that only "fine" pieces need to be found to fit the puzzle in order to maximise the potential of the car.

"We definitely do have areas that we can improve, nothing is ever perfect," Hamilton admitted. "So now we can go to study areas on the car that we can improve, but areas I can improve, some areas like braking and turning points. 

"It's all fine pieces to the puzzle to make it perfect sp I'm looking for that sp[ecial lap that we had last year. We got off to a good start, but still putting it all together tomorrow will be tough. 

"The Red Bulls look very, very quick, so I'm excited for the challenge. I was quickest in that session, but they were very close behind us. Whether or not he [Verstappen] had a perfect lap or whether we're more turned up than then, we'll find out later."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

BE Grand Prix of Belgium

Local time 19:21

BEGrand Prix of Belgium

Local time 19:21

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 3,418
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 214
  • 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