Hamilton praises Mercedes performance at Japanese Grand Prix practice

Lewis Hamilton was pleased with Mercedes’ performance following Friday’s practice sessions at the Japanese Grand Prix, saying it’s their “best session of the year.”

Despite finishing fifth fastest, just behind his teammate George Russell in fourth, Hamilton praised the improvements in the car’s handling, with both drivers trailing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by less than half a second.

Hamilton shared, “It was a really good session, the best the car has felt this year.” Mercedes had anticipated challenges at Suzuka due to the circuit’s demanding high-speed layout, which typically exposes any deficiencies in a car’s performance, particularly in high-speed corners.

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Acknowledging Mercedes’ ongoing struggle to understand why the car produces less downforce on track compared to simulations, Hamilton remained optimistic about the team’s progress. He stated, “It felt really positive… Great work has been done, and we seem to have hit the ground in a sweeter spot.”

Hamilton’s optimism was further fueled by the improved handling of the car at Suzuka, a track renowned for its driver-friendly layout. Reflecting on the team’s recent struggles, Hamilton expressed confidence in the setup, noting that minimal changes were required during the session.

As Mercedes aims to address its downforce issues and capitalize on the momentum gained during practice, Hamilton’s positive assessment bodes well for the team’s prospects at the Japanese Grand Prix.