Hamilton Confident Ahead Of The Spanish GP Qualification

DOC PHOTO via Instagram @lewishamilton

JAKARTA - Mercedes racer Lewis Hamilton admitted that he was confident in facing the Spanish Grand Prix F1 qualification at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, Saturday, 21.00 WIB.

This follows the performance of the W15 car which he assessed showed a significant increase in the first and second free practice sessions (FP), as well as the appearance of the car at the Canadian GP which was held two previously.

"In FP1 it's pretty good, but in FP2 it feels a little bit better. I think we made some good changes and the car felt really good," Hamilton said, quoted from the official Formula 1 website reported by ANTARA.

"The track is very hot, it's very difficult to (maintain the condition of the tires), especially in the long term, but it feels like we're not too far away. I won't really pay attention to the lap time, but I think the car must be on the right track," he added.

To anticipate this, the 39-year-old admitted that the team still had a number of jobs to do.

"I think we have some work to do to fix (the car) in a short time and to see if we can contain Red Bull, Ferrari and McLaren," Hamilton said.

He also appreciated the team that continued to develop the W15 tirelessly in the midst of an increasingly competitive season.

"In my opinion, the gradual steps they have taken... and everyone has worked very hard at creating components and presenting them consistently, not in large numbers here and there, and for that, I am very grateful," Hamilton said.

"You're starting to see how comfortable we are as racers in the car, so it's amazing," he added.

Agreeing, his team-mate George Russell, who scored pole and grabbed Mercedes' first podium of the season in Canada, also has the same optimism as Hamilton for the Spanish GP.

"I feel good, I feel excited. This is what we have been chasing for a long time. We don't want to overtake ourselves," said Russell.

"Lewis did a good job and lap in the FP session. However, in the later qualification, Red Bull will perform stronger, McLaren is also very fast, even with Ferrari. So, we expect an exciting fight," he added.