- Japanese GP - FP2
Hamilton: Gap could have been bigger
Lewis Hamilton says he was surprised by the gap Mercedes had over its rivals at Suzuka on Friday but thinks it would have been even larger were it not for a compromised run in FP2.
During his first run on the option (medium) compound tyre, Hamilton caught a massive wobble coming through the second Degner corner which could have sent him into the barrier. He aborted that lap but topped the session with his second run, 0.240s quicker than team-mate Nico Rosberg and a full second ahead of Valtteri Bottas in third.
But having wasted the opportunity to set a time on the first lap Hamilton thinks he could have been further ahead.
"The rear tyres just take such a beating through the first sector, I probably took too much out of them," Hamilton said. "It was quite unusual, it nearly took me off - it went one way, I caught it and then it chucked me the other way and I nearly went into the barrier.
"I bailed out that lap, the first lap. On the second lap [the tyres] weren't the best so I imagine there were two or three tenths compared to the second lap time in those tyres."
Hamilton was not expecting Mercedes to be so far ahead of the rest, especially given how close the likes of Red Bull were in Singapore.
"It changes from track to track, I don't really understand that. It's pretty good though; it's amazing what this team has done, this is one of the most demanding circuits for downforce so to be that competitive is fantastic. It's a great feeling coming here and knowing how competitive we are compared to everyone else. To be honest the car didn't feel spectacular this morning, but on the option it felt really good."
Hamilton says he is unfazed by the prospect of rain, even if he expects it to make the race even more demanding.
"I drive in whatever, it's my job. It wouldn't be fun! No, I'm sure it would be fun but it's a very, very challenging circuit [as it is]."
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