CIRCUIT DE BARCELONA-CATALUNYA | Lewis Hamilton has ended the first week of testing with 94 laps, not a lot since some drivers have been able to complete more than 200. He has found the worst possible conditions on the worst possible times and has been unlucky to have less productive time. His team mate, Valtteri Bottas, has completed 212 laps, more than twice than his team mate.
Due to that, the reigning champion has wanted to use the hours he has had this afternoon and he has done 65 laps, one less than the race distance at this track, and has set the fastest time of the week, a 1:19.333 with medium tyres.
After the session ended, the British driver has spoken to the media at the Mercedes’ motorhome. FormulaRapida.net has been there to hear what he had to tell.
“It was good to get out, we hadn’t much had many laps due to the weather so it was great. The tyres and the surface are better. So far it’s positive.” Said about his general feeling. “During testing we don’t look at the other teams. You focus on keeping the car on track, learning as much as you can and give contructive feedback so the team at the factory can work on everything.”
“Obviously I don’t remember about where we were last year (at this point of testing),” He replied when asked to compare the situation between now and last year. “It’s difficult because the track has been resurfaced and there are no bumps. I’m not quite sure why they did it, it’s a waste of money becuase the old surface had more character and now it’s lost, so thanks a lot, MotoGP.”
“Time will tell, I guess” Said about the performance of the new car. “Last years we had like 300 laps before the fourth day and today we had only 24 or so. It is what it is and hopefully I will be able to put it more on track and gain the experience. As I said, I got back in the car just now and so far I’m quite happy and quite comfortable.”
“You definitely notice it,” Said Hamilton about the halo, being the only driver on the grid who actually complained about having less visibility. “You definitely lose some visibility with it. There’s no 100% visibility. But you just get used to it. It doesn’t really affect on the corners.”
