Before hitting the track for the afternoon session of pre-season testing, Hamilton was full of optimism about his new team’s setup. As he geared up for the drive, he shared his thoughts, saying, “We’ve laid down a solid foundation, but out there, it looks like the competition is intense. It’s really close.” He added, “I haven’t felt this positive in quite some time.”
Unfortunately, his day was cut short. Ferrari decided to wrap up the session earlier than planned, preventing him from completing a full race distance. During the session, Hamilton clocked times nearly half a second faster than his teammate Charles Leclerc. However, he had the advantage of a softer tire compound and ran in the afternoon while Leclerc took the wheel in the morning.
It’s crucial to remember that pre-season tests are notoriously unreliable for assessing true competitiveness. Numerous variables can skew the results, and teams keep their car specifications under wraps. Factors like fuel loads and engine modes significantly affect performance.
Friday’s weather added another layer of complexity. Unlike the previous day, Friday was sunny, noticeably warmer, and had stronger winds, which resulted in a slower track compared to Thursday.
Despite Verstappen’s impressive speed, the Red Bull car seemed tricky to handle. The team experimented with different setups and configurations, including alternating between two front-wing designs. In pursuit of the perfect setup, the four-time world champion experienced a late spin at Turn One, highlighting the car’s challenging dynamics.
