Hamilton searching for minor gains after 'solid' Friday

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

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

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 2025
Australia
21 - Mar 23 2025
China
4 - Apr 6 2025
Japan
11 - Apr 13 2025
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America
16 - May 18 2025
Italy
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco
30 - Jun 1 2025
Spain
13 - Jun 15 2025
Canada
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27 2025
Belgium
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5 2025
Singapore
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America
24 - Oct 26 2025
Mexico
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America
28 - Nov 30 2025
Qatar
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16 2025
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23 2025
4 - Apr 6 2025
11 - Apr 13 2025
18 - Apr 20 2025
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4 2025
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18 2025
23 - May 25 2025
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1 2025
13 - Jun 15 2025
27 - Jun 29 2025
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6 2025
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27 2025
1 - Aug 3 2025
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31 2025
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7 2025
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21 2025
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5 2025
17 - Oct 19 2025
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26 2025
7 - Nov 9 2025
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23 2025
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30 2025
5 - Dec 7 2025
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,533
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (41)
  • Place of b. Tewin, United Kingdom
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar