W09 can take corners flat out

The Mercedes W09 can take corners at the Circuit de Catalunya at full speed as both Hamilton and Bottas revel they don’t lift at turn three or nine.

The Silver Arrows paring took turns in the car everyday last week ensuring both drivers get plenty of running in the car ahead of the 2018 season.

Bottas spoke about the car saying: “It is something really special. It is so difficult to describe though.

“We are going nearly 5Gs lateral in turn three and turn nine and you can just feel it.

“The cars, there’s so much downforce in those speeds, you can really feel the whole car starting to bend and flex and still you have the grip and you need to trust the grip.

“Sliding the car in those speeds is a good feeling, there’s a smile on my face every time.”

Hamilton added: “We’re finding, because we have a lot more downforce, you’re flat through turn three.

“Yesturday I was flat through turn nine which I’ve never been in the whole 10, 12 years Ive been racing. It’s awesome.”

In terms of track performance, Hamilton believes the newly surfaced Barcelona track has helped increased speeds and doesn’t expect such gains in Melbourne.

“I dont think we are going to be three, four seconds faster at the first race, I think it’ll be more like a second or two maybe.”

This talk from Hamilton and Bottas will certainly worry Red Bull and Ferrari team members as they thought they were improving.

Although placed slightly lower towards the end of testing, the Mercedes car still remains as fast as ever.

With higher downforce, the racing does seem to have the potential to become even more eciting.