Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes could spoil Ferrari’s party at their residence Italian GP this weekend, insisting the two teams are about a”similar degree” at Monza despite the Scuderia’s strength benefit.
Ferrari, debuting an upgraded engine in F1’s quickest track and searching for back-to-back 2019 successes, were charged as powerful favorites for the weekend by Mercedes although Charles Leclerc topped both Friday sessions, Hamilton was only 0.068s slower in Practice Two – which allowed more arid running than P1 to a rain-affected day.
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Hamilton was assisted by a tow from Valtteri Bottas for his lap, but it was set in light rain in contrast to Leclerc’s on a trail that was dry.
Although conditions supposed a representative pre-order from Friday is uncertain, Hamilton believes Mercedes are to Ferrari than they were in Spa – before holding off him at the race when he is beaten by Leclerc to pole by seven-tenths of a second.
“They’re quite fast in a straight line, we’re fairly strong I believe on race pace,” explained Hamilton. “But a bit closer potentially on single lap pace. It appears like we can have a struggle.
“I had been expecting them to be fast on a straight, they are, but there is enough corners where we’re ready to gain it back. They are not that rapid through the corners, which it sort of balances us out.
“I think that it’s going to be a really hard race but we are on a similar level that’s quite good.”
Bottas, that had been fourth in P2, included:”We knew coming they were going to be strong but it didn’t look worse compared to Spa to us.
“For sure we have a good chance this weekend”
Leclerc has seen signs that was sufficient to think that Ferrari have a struggle on their hands in the front of the field.
“Fine to be fastest, however I do not think it is a real picture of what,” said the Ferrari driver.
“I expect Mercedes to be somewhat powerful tomorrow when we’ll be in precisely the exact circumstances, as they did their fastest lap time in challenging conditions.”
Sebastian Vettel, two tenths off Leclerc’s pace, included:”It was OK but we could still get more out of the car. It was a small scrappy session with everyone jumping out as soon as the light went green because of the conditions and not the rhythm you have.
“The major issue is we have some good hands, we know where the weakness is, and that’s what we try to focus on.”
Although intermittent rain and several red flags interrupted Friday’s two sessions, one tendency was teams with their two cars to be able to make a tow. One car was running ahead of the other, with the automobile gaining a performance benefit the straights down.
“If you’re within three or three seconds of the car in front, it’s probably going to be worth 3-4kph,” states Sky F1’s Paul Di Resta. “That on each right is liberated lap time”
Karun Chandhok added:”The gap Lewis needed behind Valtteri in P2 was so fantastic. Lewis gained 6kph on each right.”
Asked about the effectiveness of a tow, Vettel stated:”We shall see the conditions, we will see the tyres, how careful we need to be on the outside lap and go from that point.
“It is fine if you have the tow, so it’s not so fine if you do not, but that’s how it is around here.”
Ferrari are searching for a very first Italy win because 2010 while Mercedes have won the past five occasions, making the habit of upsetting the house’Tifosi’.
Hamilton also praised the”amazing” and”particular” Monza circuit along with Italian GP, that will be celebrating its 90th event this weekend.
“It’s an amazing trail,” he stated. “It’s a really special circuit, the flying points are amazingly important, it’s very bumpy and then you’ve got Parabolica and you throw as much pace into those corners and you’ve not got a great deal of downforce.
“it is a genuine special monitor to push.”
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