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Hamilton surprised by gap between Mercedes and Ferrari

12:09, 05 Oct 2018

byBobby Vincent

Mercedes had a 0.8s advantage over Ferrari in the first two practice sessions of the Japanese Grand Prix, and this has left Lewis Hamilton surpised.

Hamilton dominated the opening two practice sessions in Asia, and Valtteri Bottas finished in P2 both times - completing a Mercedes one-two.

Sebastian Vettel, Hamilton's title rival, could only get within eight tenths of a second to Hamilton.

Hamilton was asked by Crash whether he thought Mercedes would have a clear advantage over rivals Red Bull and Ferrari, and answered: "Definitely not. I didn't know where we were going to stand alongside the Red Bulls and Ferraris.

"The Red Bulls were really quick here last year and naturally so, the Ferraris. So I wasn't expecting that.

"I just came here with the mindset of I know where I've got to get the car, I know there is always areas to improve.

"There's two or three corners where I thought 'I know I need to kill it this weekend' and I got straight onto it. Straight away I was much, much better than I've ever been through those particular corners.

"So now I've just got to stay on it, keep going, keep working. We are working so hard to fine-tuning this car, which we are becoming accustomed to now and as I said I'm loving driving more than ever."