Mercedes
Many had tipped Mercedes to carry out effectively on the Crimson Bull Ring, and their tempo seemed respectable in FP1. Come Dash Qualifying, Russell put his W15 in P4 and was left feeling hopeful of battling for a podium in Saturday’s Dash. Hamilton, in the meantime, will line up in P6 however branded his complete session as “fairly disastrous”.
READ MORE: Hamilton manufacturers Dash Qualifying as ‘fairly disastrous’ following SQ3 mistake in Austria
Lewis Hamilton, sixth, 1:05.270
“I had a tough Dash Qualifying in the present day. Apply went effectively and the automotive felt good. I don’t suppose we had the tempo to struggle for pole place for the Dash however we doubtless had extra velocity than we confirmed. I wasn’t pleased with any of my laps and Dash Qualifying was fairly a messy session general.
“The Dash race tomorrow might be difficult. It’s not straightforward to overhaul round right here and beginning P6 makes it tough for us. If it’s not an eventful race, then I don’t suppose we will transfer ahead too many locations. However, we are going to nonetheless be giving it our all. Our essential focus although is in fact on Qualifying later within the afternoon and Sunday’s race.”
George Russell, 4th, 1:05.054
“The Smooth tyre felt superb, and my lap felt sturdy. I used to be subsequently a bit stunned on the hole to P1, however I doubtless pushed too laborious on the out lap. That doubtlessly took a bit of the height grip away from the tyre. From within the automotive, it felt like the most effective lap of the session, so that’s in all probability the reason for why we dropped a bit bit additional again.
“P4 remains to be a good place to be beginning for the Dash tomorrow. We’re within the struggle for the rostrum. Our focus is in fact on Qualifying and the Grand Prix, however that is simply one other validation that we’re heading in the right direction and within the combine close to the entrance.”
Andrew Shovlin, Trackside Engineering Director
“We had a stable FP1. Each vehicles managed a superb quantity of long term work, and, on the Onerous tyre, we had been wanting much like Barcelona when it comes to competitiveness. Dash Qualifying was fairly easy though in SQ3 we had been first out on monitor. It was necessary to not danger lacking the flag however that does make it tough to get the good thing about the monitor evolution. We hoped for a bit higher than P4 and P6 however our efficiency on the Smooth compound wasn’t sturdy sufficient to problem for higher. Lewis picked up some ground injury and wasn’t joyful along with his laps. George felt that he wanted to a bit extra high-speed grip to go sooner, so we’re how one can make a couple of enhancements in a single day.
“Our goal is to attain respectable factors within the Dash tomorrow morning, however it’s additionally helpful as long term preparation forward of Sunday’s race. We have additionally acquired the chance to tweak the automotive for essential Qualifying after the Dash. We all know the place we have to enhance so hopefully, we are able to make a little bit of floor up and begin a bit nearer to the entrance for the race on Sunday.”