Hamilton warns Mercedes’ race pace “not that great” after topping practice · RaceFans

Lewis Hamilton is remaining cautious about Mercedes’ prospects for the Las Vegas Grand Prix despite topping both practice sessions on thee opening day.

The driver who has won twice this year was just one-hundredth of a second faster than Lando Norris in the second of Thursday’s practice sessions, after he had led his team mate in the first.

Hamilton, who endured a tough weekend last time out in Brazil, said he felt “pretty good” about the performance of his W15.

“It’s the first time that I’ve actually had a day like that, I think, this year,” he said.

“The car was feeling really good in FP1. FP2, less so. So we’ve got some work to do overnight.

“It’s difficult to know exactly where we are or why we are where we are, but I’m really enjoying driving the track. I think we’ll see whether the car is still the same tomorrow.”

Mercedes have often struggled to keep their tyres in the optimal temperature range this year. Despite the cool temperatures under the Nevada night sky, Hamilton thinks the conditions suited Mercedes.

“Hot conditions are a little bit worse for us, but the race pace is not that great,” he said. “So we’ve got work to do overnight to try and figure out how we can have better race pace without losing pace throughout the lap. But it was nice to get consecutive sectors and the car not throwing me off.”

Following a difficult Brazilian Grand Prix weekend where he finished down in tenth place and admitted he had questioned whether he wanted to return for the final three rounds, Hamilton suggested the team had understood why he struggled at Interlagos.

“I’m feeling good in myself,” he said. “Coming into this weekend, I know it’s not my driving. So I’ve just got to work overnight not to make big changes and hopefully get some good rest tonight and come back strong tomorrow.”

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