Lewis Hamilton says the toppings for Friday’s follow on the Azerbaijan Grand Prix are an indication that his Ferrari transition is shifting in the suitable course. Although he was cautious to not learn an excessive amount of of the tempo of his frontal driving, the seven-time world champion was significantly happy along with his progress in spending his day with Ferrari’s Brembo brakes, his chief bugbear this season, utilizing carbon business at Mercedes.
Hamilton is competing for consistency in his first season with Ferrari, with Azerbaijan being residence to teammate Charles Leclerc, who has gained 4 straight pole positions on the Baku Avenue Circuit. However it was Hamilton, not Leclair. Hit Monegasque into the highest spot of FP2 0.074 seconds.
“It was a very constructive day (it was a constructive day), and I am grateful to the Lord,” he mentioned. “I feel the P1 was a bit confused. This was a circuit the place you must be assured within the mega within the brakes, and there have been some points with the brakes. After that, we made some modifications to the P2 and the brakes have been in the end absolutely practical.
“I am actually glad to see progress. It simply reveals the course we have been going as a group. I am actually grateful that everybody is affected person and everyone seems to be pushing so exhausting.
“The help I’ve come again from everybody within the manufacturing unit, everybody right here – their persistence and their help lifts me up each week, and Tifosi – we now have sparkled from the power from Tifosi in our remaining race.
Britton warned in opposition to studying an excessive amount of Friday’s bounce, which additionally turned to Hamilton’s downbeat look in his Thursday media duties.
“It is only a follow day,” he mentioned. “Please do not go far.”
Leclerc was a grasp of Baku’s qualifying rounds, however he is aware of that he wants particular magic to unfold his pole streak. Simon Galloway/Getty Pictures
Ferrari had Baku’s run by the top of Friday, and Hamilton hadn’t accomplished a clear flying lap with both McLaren driver, however he led the following Finest George Russell by 0.477 in third place. Leclerc was optimistic that Ferrari had extra tempo, however warned that it might come extra from the no-show Landororis and Oscar Piastri.
“I feel there’s much more possibilities that come from me, particularly. We did not do a terrific job in the present day, however total we glance fairly sturdy, in order that’s a very good factor,” he mentioned.
“However there are huge issues, however McLaren appears actually in one other world. Rand did not end some very spectacular raps, so I feel individuals will likely be very shocked tomorrow.
“I do not suppose we’re in a struggle with them, however in comparison with others, we appear to be in a very good place.”
Nonetheless, Leclerc, who gained the ultimate 4 pole positions and a dash pole on the observe in 2023, is keen to surrender fully the potential of a fifth consecutive P1 begin at Baku.
“I do not suppose there is a struggle for victory in the intervening time, however I am going to by no means say it,” he added. “In 2021, and with many {qualifications} right here, I really feel that’s not possible and in the long run we completed it, so I maintain my hopes excessive.
