Lewis Hamilton surprised by Mercedes’ early advantage in Japan News

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Lewis Hamilton surprised by Mercedes’ early advantage in Japan

By Daily Sports on October 6, 2018

Lewis Hamilton admits he was shocked to see such a gap between himself and the rest of the field after Friday practice at the Japanese Grand Prix.

The four-time world champion was in a class of his own to lead Mercedes one-twos in both sessions as Ferrari and Red Bull failed to match his pace.

Teammate Valtteri Bottas was just under half a second adrift in both sessions while in FP2 title-rival Sebastian Vettel ensured he would be the quickest non-Mercedes by finishing third fastest but still 0.833s off the pace.

Hamilton, who is searching for a fourth consecutive win in Formula One, said “definitely not” when asked if he expected to be enjoying such an advantage over his rivals after the opening two practice sessions.

“I didn’t know where we were going to stand alongside the Red Bulls and Ferraris,” Hamilton said. “The Red Bulls were really quick here last year and naturally so, the Ferraris.

“I just came here with the mindset of I know where I’ve got to get the car, I know there’s always areas to improve.

“There’s two or three corners where I know I need to kill it this weekend and I got straight onto it. Straight away I was much, much better than I’ve ever been through those particular corners.

“There’s very little room for run off, a little touch of grass and you are in the wall.

It’s very marginal being on the limit and it’s so quick through that first section, being that you go down into Turn 1, up through the Essess and then you are braking down into Turn 8, it’s very cool.

“When you get in the car it’s just the best, it’s so much fun and I’m truly grateful to have the opportunity I have. I won’t be doing it forever so you’ve just got to cherish the moments.”

•Adapted from a KweseESPN.com report. Photo shows Lewis Hamilton

Source Daily Sports

Posted October 6, 2018