News
‘We went a lot slower somehow’ – Hamilton left searching for answers as Mercedes fall back from rivals in FP2
Lewis Hamilton has admitted that his Mercedes “doesn’t feel particularly quick” after a low-key first day of practice for the Silver Arrows at Monza.
Hamilton ended the opening day of practice seventh fastest in FP2, almost a second off the pace set by Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
It came after a competitive first practice session for Mercedes, when Hamilton and team mate George Russell were both within half a second of top spot in fourth and third respectively.
READ MORE: Sainz leads Verstappen and Leclerc in second Monza practice session
Asked to reflect on his day, and the difference between Mercedes' FP1 and FP2 showings, Hamilton said: "We just made some set-up changes. [It was] nothing major, but we went a lot slower somehow, or [Ferrari and Red Bull] went a lot quicker.
"I’m giving everything out there, it just doesn’t feel particularly quick."
FP2 was not much better for Russell, who lapped just over a tenth quicker than his team mate en route to fifth position, having struggled with ERS deployment issues around the Temple of Speed.
"It was a bit of a strange day. FP1 was looking pretty strong, but then Ferrari and Red Bull have seemingly taken a step forward compared to us," reflected Russell.
"Maybe we’ve taken a step back, as we were obviously behind [Lando Norris'] McLaren in FP2, so, a bit of work to be done tonight to understand that."
READ MORE: Verstappen, Hamilton, Sainz and more receive engine and gearbox grid penalties at Monza
As for the deployment issues referenced over the radio, Russell added: "I think we’re similar to Red Bull, but Ferrari seem to have the upper hand.
"It may make things tricky in a race scenario, as they’ve got a bit more in the locker to play with. It’s something we’re going to have to deal with."
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE
News Hulkenberg pleased to ‘steal’ another point for Haas as Magnussen rues costly contact with Tsunoda
News Championship points and 2025 pre-season testing discussed in second Formula 1 Commission meeting of 2024
News Albon hopeful Williams will be stronger in Miami after ‘tough’ China weekend as Sargeant reflects on penalty incident
Podcast BEYOND THE GRID: Stoffel Vandoorne on his dramatic F1 debut, his tough exit and much more