Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari is “competitive” at the Formula 1 British Grand Prix following a promising display at Silverstone on Friday.
Hamilton topped the charts in FP1 before securing third place in Friday’s second practice session, trailing behind Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc. Ferrari appears to be McLaren’s closest competitor in both qualifying simulations and sustained runs.
This marks a positive beginning for the seven-time world champion, who is aiming for a record-extending 10th home victory at Silverstone. His start to the Ferrari season has presented challenges, often requiring him to explore different set-up options from Friday to Saturday.
However, Hamilton appeared at ease from the outset on Friday, later confirming he felt strong from the beginning.
“It was a genuinely positive day,” Hamilton remarked. “Wonderful to see the spectators. Fantastic to be out on track with Ferrari here at Silverstone. It’s been quite remarkable.”
“Also, considering Red Bull and McLaren brought upgrades, the fact that we are still competitive, despite their advancements, is very encouraging.”
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images
He further stated: “I certainly believe we can envision a successful weekend. Properly executing and bringing everything together, along with maximizing our potential, is another matter. However, I intend to prepare myself to the best of my ability to ensure we achieve the optimal outcome.”
When questioned about the factors contributing to his improved Friday performance from the start, he responded: “I am making considerable progress with the car now and feel increasingly comfortable with understanding its optimal setup.”
“I feel that even by FP2, we were not quite where we needed to be. I experienced a bit more difficulty in FP2, but we are aware of the adjustments required for the subsequent session.”
“There is a possibility of rain tomorrow, and also on Sunday, so I will dedicate myself to ensuring we are adequately prepared for those conditions.”
