• Belgian Grand Prix - FP2

Hamilton bullish Mercedes will recover

ESPN Staff
August 23, 2013 « Massa open to other options outside Ferrari | Vettel in dark over tyre failure »
Lewis Hamilton was 12th quickest in FP2 © Associated Press
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Lewis Hamilton is confident that Mercedes will recover from its poor Friday of practice ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix but admits "at the moment we're a long way off".

With increased expectation around Mercedes following Hamilton's victory in Hungary, both Hamilton and Nico Rosberg appeared to struggle during FP2 following a damp morning session. Hamilton ended the day with the 12th fastest time and when asked if he felt he would be in a position to challenge for pole position on Saturday, he replied: "No, at the moment we're a long way off, but we'll find the time.

"I don't feel that we started off on the right foot. We've got to make some changes but we still have time."

When it was put to Hamilton that Mercedes often starts a weekend badly and then recovers on a Saturday, he said the team was aware of the trend.

"I know why that is but I'm not going to tell you! It is that way; not every time are we going to be able to find the right way but I need to see if we can make the right changes which should help."

On the pace shown by Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, Hamilton added: "The Red Bulls look very quick but I don't think they're unbeatable."

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