Lewis Hamilton Q&A: KERS gain not as big as you’d think 28 Aug 2009
Predictions that McLaren will not be as strong in Spa as they were last weekend in Valencia are incorrect - or at least they were on Friday afternoon. Despite less downforce than he’d like, and less gain from KERS than some had expected, Lewis Hamilton still topped the practice times…
Q: After hammering in the fastest lap in second practice you must be pretty satisfied with how it went today…
Lewis Hamilton: Well, I’m pretty satisfied although we don’t have the best aero package so we are not as quick as we would like to be. But nevertheless, we are doing better than we had expected. We still don’t have as much downforce as some of the other teams so we are still not great in the high-speed corners. You could see that especially in the mid sector of the track. There a lot of guys have been faster. Fortunately we have KERS and a good car in the first and last sector. I am definitely not unhappy.
Q: Where do you use KERS here?
LH: I only use it three times. Into Turn One and then on the straights. The gain is probably not is big as you would have expected.
Q: How important is KERS at a track like Spa?
LH: No more important than it is at other circuits.
Q: What would you think about the possibility of Nico Rosberg being your new team mate next season?
LH: I have nothing to say about it. In this matter you should speak to Martin (Whitmarsh) or to Norbert (Haug). For me, I am happy with Heikki (Kovalainen).
Q: This circuit holds so many memories. What is this track to you?
LH: It is a fantastic circuit. It is great whether in the wet or in the dry. It feels good to race here.
Q: Is your aim to win here?
LH: For sure I want to win. I won last year. Whether we will have the pace this year, I don’t know at the moment.
Q: What difference did you find between the medium and soft tyres today, in terms of lap time and consistency?
LH: The tyres were very similar for me. I didn’t like the option tyres too much but it is difficult to say which tyre is best. Maybe the prime is quite strong. But as always the option will be better in qualifying, for sure.
