Hamilton: "The Ferraris are back fast on the straights" – F1 Team – Formula 1

There Mercedes she returned to the track in Brazil for the first time since 2013 without Toto Wolff's driving from the pits, but after having mathematically secured both the constructors 'and drivers' titles. On Friday Interlagos saw the Silver Arrows shine on the race pace and struggle a little on the dry lap, preceded by both Max Verstappen and the two Ferraris of Charles Leclerc and Sebastian Vettel.

Lewis Hamilton closed at fifth place (1’09.440, 3 laps in the PL1, 39 in the PL2) and noted the performance of the two Maranello Reds: “It was a relatively good day, we worked a lot. The Ferraris are again fast on the straights, so it will be interesting. There are two more sessions to make things right, but we started off on the right foot. I don't know if we will be able to recover the three tenths of delay from Ferrari in qualifying".

Valtteri Bottas has finished fourth (1’09.373, 10 laps in PL1, 37 in PL2): “Given everything, it didn't go wrong. The others are strong, Ferrari has always been strong with the power unit, but Red Bull will also be in the fight". According to a journalist from Auto Motor und Sport, Tobi Gruner, Ferrari has indeed returned to its engine levels in Brazilian free practice: "From our calculations Red Bull pays about 7 tenths in a straight line from the Red, with the Mercedes detached by 8-9 tenths. It appears that the FIA ​​technical guidelines have had no effect".