NEW LOW FOR LEW

Hamilton admits he faces a tough weekend after wrestling with a mishandling Merc in practice

NEIL RANDON

LEWIS HAMILTON expects “a tough weekend” ahead after grappling with an ill-handling Mercedes during the first day of practice ahead of the Hungarian Grand Prix.

BY

The seven-time world champion and his team-mate George Russell had five days earlier popped champagne corks while celebrating a double podium finish at the French Grand Prix.

But the British drivers were soon left feeling flat as they struggled for grip around the tight and twisty Hungaroring circuit.

And while the Mercedes kicked and bucked around the Budapest track, the super-smooth Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz dominated yesterday’s two one-hour sessions.

Even Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who leads Leclerc by 63 points with 10 races

remaining, admits “Ferrari are a bit ahead”.

Hamilton will be praying for the predicted rain to arrive on cue for today’s qualifying session in the hope the wet conditions will dampen the speed of the Prancing Horses, who are strong favourites to win tomorrow’s 70-lap race.

“The car’s been a bit of a struggle,” Hamilton revealed.

“It’s crazy how it swings so much from track to track.

“It’s little bit loose and it’s not doing what we want it to do, so it’s been a difficult day.

“Nothing has changed on the car since last week, but for some reason at this track it’s not working as well.

“But once we have got it right, the gap is about the same as last week.

“It’s going to be a tough weekend, that’s for sure, but we will give it everything we’ve got.”

Russell was more optimistic about the prospects and said: “Although it has been a tough day, it has also been a productive one.

“We are a little bit further away than we probably would have expected – a couple of issues here and there – but tomorrow’s going to be a totally new day, and Sunday, so not all lost yet.”

But it wasn’t all doom and gloom for British hopes with Lando Norris producing a barnstorming lap to split the two Ferraris in the second session in his Mclaren, just twotenths of a second behind Leclerc. “We are feeling good,” Norris said. “The car is in a good place, it seems to be suiting this track a little bit more, but I’m not expecting to be fighting for pole. We know Ferrari, Red Bull and Mercedes will normally step it up a lot more.”