Hamilton: 'Others just took another step' in Baku practice
Summary
Hamilton says Ferrari have work to do after rivals 'took another step' in Baku practice. The Scuderia fell from four tenths off in FP1 to 1.1s behind in FP2. Tyre prep and straight-line speed are concerns.
Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari were left behind as "others just took another step" in Baku practice. The Scuderia looked competitive in FP1, but by FP2 the gap to the front had stretched to 1.1 seconds, leaving Leclerc fourth and Hamilton fifth.
Why it matters:
Ferrari have slipped behind McLaren after looking like Mercedes' closest challenger this season. Baku's long straights and slow corners expose two weaknesses: straight-line speed and tyre preparation.
The details:
- In FP1, Hamilton and Leclerc were third and fourth, four tenths off the top time on the medium tyre.
- By FP2, Leclerc trailed by 1.1s, with Hamilton a further two tenths back.
- Hamilton: "FP1 felt really strong... And then FP2, for some reason, the others just took another step."
- He said the tyres are hard to get into the right window, and that Ferrari's "straight-line speed is not as good as Mercedes."
- Fred Vasseur: "It's difficult to read... The McLaren was very quick, but they didn't finish the lap." He recalled Ferrari were "in a very good shape" at Baku last year yet still qualified 10th and 11th.
What's next:
Hamilton will work on closing the straight-line speed deficit overnight. With qualifying expected to be tight, Ferrari need to find the missing performance to avoid another disappointing qualifying.
Original Article :https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/article/others-just-took-another-step-hamilto...