Lewis Hamilton put his Azerbaijan Grand Prix FP2 headline end result right down to adjustments in his braking set-up, as he feels that Ferrari's progress over 2025's Method 1 season is beginning to turn into obvious.
Whereas Leclerc was main the instances in FP2 forward of the ultimate flurry of higher-fuel lengthy runs, Hamilton benefitted from his team-mate's help with a tow to maneuver to the highest of the order on his remaining flying run of the session.
Hamilton had been in thirteenth throughout FP1, in a session that he described as “a large number” as a consequence of a insecurity beneath braking – hardly a perfect situation when tackling a plethora of 90-degree corners.
He felt that the brakes have been “excellent” within the second Friday session though did not need to be too optimistic, on condition that it was solely observe.
“I might say P1 was a little bit of a large number; it is a circuit the place it's important to have mega confidence on the brakes and I had some issues with the brakes,” Hamilton defined after FP2.
“Each monitor I will is the primary time driving the Ferrari at that circuit, so acclimatising to that's not simple. We made some adjustments going into P2 and the brakes lastly have been working excellent.
“I used to be capable of actually make some large benefit when it comes to gaining on the brakes. Actually joyful to see the progress and it simply goes to indicate the course we have been going as a group. I am actually grateful for everybody's persistence and everybody pushing so laborious as a result of we're actually beginning to see the progress come by means of.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Picture by: Alexander Nemenov / AFP by way of Getty Photographs
Leclerc, in the meantime, felt that he might have gotten extra out of himself throughout observe. Whereas he was obsessed with Ferrari's efficiency so far, he reckoned that McLaren was “in one other world” regardless of the Woking-based group's misfortune over the Friday periods.
The Monegasque, who has secured the final 4 pole positions on provide in Baku, advised that his hopes of victory within the Azerbaijani capital might need to attend a little bit longer.
“It was OK. I feel there's much more potential, particularly coming from me. I did an incredible job right this moment, however total we appear to be fairly sturdy,” Leclerc stated.
“So it is good. However, and there is a large however, it seems to be like McLaren is in one other world, actually. And I feel folks will likely be very shocked tomorrow as a result of Lando did not end some laps that have been very, very spectacular.
“I doubt we'll be within the combat with them. However in comparison with the others, evidently we're type of in an excellent place.
“I do not suppose there is a battle for the win for now. However by no means say by no means. I feel in 2021 and in lots of qualifyings right here, I felt prefer it wasn't doable. And on the finish, we type of made it. So I am going to maintain my hopes excessive. Nevertheless it seems to be unlikely.”
Ferrari Staff Principal Frédéric Vasseur walks within the paddock
Picture by: Kym Illman / Getty Photographs
Ferrari's group principal Frederic Vasseur was nonetheless happy together with his group's early tempo in Baku though, like Leclerc, pointed to McLaren's unknown final tempo because the benchmark. He additionally advised that, versus the Mercedes-powered vehicles, Ferrari had turned the wick up in FP2.
“Dreaming is rarely an excellent factor. We have to concentrate on what we're doing. The margins are very tight. McLaren did not handle to finish a quick lap, however they have been quick too,” Vasseur instructed Sky Sports activities Italia.
“Mercedes in all probability did not use the engine to its full potential, which implies that tomorrow's state of affairs would be the similar as we noticed this morning, with everybody very shut collectively.
“The race simulation can be essential. We solely did 4-5 laps, however it went very nicely. We've to concentrate on ourselves and get probably the most out of what we have now. It was an excellent Friday, however we do not know the gas ranges of the others and we have not seen their actual potential.”
