Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team played down an impressive FP2 session for the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix on Friday but the buzz and momentum building around the updated W14, with the seven-times Formula 1 world champion back at the top of the timing sheets and teammate George Russell in tow.
Back at one of his all-time favourite tracks it was like old times for Hamilton, a seven-time winner at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, leading a Mercedes one-two ahead of teammate Russell that offered signs and a bit of hope that finally a challenger to mighty Red Bull might be emerging.
While no one in the Mercedes garage is predicting victory on Sunday there were nonetheless plenty of smiles as Red Bull's championship leader Max Verstappen placed sixth and teammate Sergio Perez eighth.
"The car didn't feel bad but I think we've definitely got some work to do," said Hamilton. "It's just bumpy. I think everyone's having their struggles with the bumps. We've just got to improve our ride control and a bit of balance through corners.
"I think we'll be alright. Overall the car is just a step forwards and I'm definitely feeling the improvements that we got in Monaco."
Hamilton: I love driving this track, it's mega!
In the team report, he added: "It was a strange day with the issues in FP1. I felt really bad for all the fans out there; we've had a great crowd out here since yesterday and the city's been pumping. I'm glad that we got out there eventually though and it was good to have a 90-minute session. We haven't had one of them in a long time!
"I love driving this track, it's mega! From the moment you leave the pitlane you just think "yeah, this is wicked!" It is probably the bumpiest circuit that we've been on for a long time, however. I think everyone is struggling with the bumps though," reckoned 103-time Grand Prix winner Hamilton.
Teammate Russell summed up his thoughts on Friday evening in Montreal: "Barcelona and here are two totally different circuits, so it's hard to compare how the car is performing from one to another. Barcelona is a super smooth, high-speed track whilst here it is incredibly bumpy.
"I do think the upgrades we've brought have helped the limitations of the car though. Pace-wise, I think we're going to be on the tail end of Ferrari and Aston Martin in qualifying. We know it comes to us on a Sunday though and that's when it matters.
"It also looks like it's going to be wet tomorrow so let's see what that brings," added Russell, who has one F1 victory on his CV.
The Mercedes upgrades in Monaco and Barcelona led to a double podium at the Spanish Grand Prix with Hamilton finishing second and Russell third behind race winner Verstappen.
Allison: I think there's plenty more to improve on the car
And while the Mercedes men were back on top on Friday the outfit's technical director James Allison cautioned not to read too much into the result which was as much a product of strategy and luck with the weather: "We chose, thinking that this rain was coming a little sooner than it came
"We ran our long run at the beginning of the session and our short runs at the end," explained Allison. "Everyone else did it and vice-versa, so we were doing our short runs when the track was at its best."
"I think there's plenty more to improve on the car before we get to qualifying and I think all we can read into it is that the car is in OK shape. But it's not deserving of a one-two, because we just weren't running at the same time," added Allison.
Red Bull has won all seven races this season, Verstappen taking five victories, and most observers expect that dominance to continue in Montreal.
Even Allison could not bring himself to make any predictions beyond things finally are all pointing in the right direction: "I certainly loved the good result we had in Barcelona. That puts a smile on everyone’s face.
"Probably a little bit too soon to say that summer has arrived with that one swallow – but hopefully, we’ve turned a bit of a corner. I think this track is going to be very different in the challenges it places on a car but I think we’re gently on the up."
(Reporting by Steve Keating; Additional reporting Agnes Carlier)
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