Hamilton expects no miracles: 'In terms of race pace we are number three'

Hamilton obviously hopes to drive to the podium at the Grand Prix. That will not be an easy task, he explained to Sky Sports. "I think our race pace was possibly around third fastest at the time, so I think the Red Bulls and the Ferraris were quickest, or maybe the Astons, maybe we are fourth. I'm not quite sure exactly.

"We're just trying to focus on getting around as quick as we can today. It was a very difficult session, not an easy circuit. Our car in general in the past has never really suited this circuit and it shows that again today. So, a really tough session, but we got through it."

'Better than last year'

Hearing Hamilton like this, it also looks like it will be pretty tough for Mercedes in the Sprint. "We're not going to have damage limitation because we haven't even qualified for it yet. We're just going to try and see if we can do better in Sprint qualifying tomorrow, depending on the weather and the temperatures. Then from fifth in the race on Sunday, that's a good strong position to start from. I think last year I started further back and it was a tough race, so I'm hoping we can have a better race on Sunday," Hamilton said.