Lewis Hamilton is facing an uphill battle in Saudi Arabia as he aims to secure a spot in the top 10 after a lackluster practice session. The Mercedes driver expressed his concerns about the challenges he faced in getting his Ferrari to perform optimally during Friday’s practice sessions.
Hamilton found himself in 13th place during the second practice, trailing behind his Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, by six tenths of a second. Additionally, he lagged 1.1 seconds behind the leading McLaren of Lando Norris. Despite the disappointing results, Hamilton remains hopeful but cautious about his chances of improvement for the upcoming qualifying sessions.
Struggling to get his tires to work effectively, Hamilton admitted, “I’m just trying to see if I’m getting into the top ten at the moment.” He acknowledged the difficulties he encountered during practice but remained optimistic that overnight adjustments to the car could lead to a stronger performance on race day.
In preparation for the race, Hamilton and Leclerc explored different setup options to gather valuable data. Considering aligning his setup with Leclerc’s for potential improvements, Hamilton emphasized the importance of collaboration within the team to enhance performance.
Leclerc, on the other hand, expressed confidence in the changes made to his SF-25, particularly with a customized rear wing designed for the lengthy straights of Jeddah. The Monegasque driver remains positive that the adjustments will pay off during the qualifying sessions, emphasizing the valuable lessons learned during practice.
As the drivers gear up for the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the pressure is on for Hamilton to overcome the setbacks of practice and secure a competitive position on the grid. With strategic adjustments and a collaborative team effort, both Hamilton and Leclerc are hopeful for a stronger showing in the upcoming sessions.