'Best The Car Has Ever Felt' Says Hamilton After 'Best Session So Far'

Friday, 05 April 2024 at 12:00

Updated at Friday, 05 April 2024 at 12:30

Lewis Hamilton asserted the first practice session at Suzuka Circuit was the best that his Mercedes had felt this year.

We have seen a couple of solid practice sessions from Mercedes this year. In fact, the team looked very strong at every single circuit so far, at least at one point.

Nevertheless, the performance always disappeared from Silver Arrows come qualifying and race. The team focused a lot on improving consistency ahead of the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix.

While it remains to be seen if the German team can keep it consistent, both Mercedes drivers looked quick in the first practice session with times that put them in P4 and P5.

Although Hamilton was second fastest in FP2, it isn't very relevant as the track was damp, and only seven drivers put in some laps, not taking it very seriously. Regardless, Hamilton seems to be satisfied with the progress so far, as he said:

"FP1 was a great session for us. It was the best session for us so far this year and the best the car has felt. I felt very positive and excited heading into FP2 as this is a circuit that every driver loves to drive."

Read also

Verstappen - Hamilton Mind Games Revealed By Ex-Trainer Scanes

"It was a shame not to get much running in, therefore. In the last two years here, we've struggled with a car that has had an inconsistent balance and has been difficult to drive."

It doesn't happen too often that the F1 team hits the sweet spot with their car's setup straight from the beginning of the first practice session, but it seems Mercedes managed to do so in Japan. Hamilton now hopes the performance won't magically disappear and hopes to build on the excellent start, as he added: