Lewis Hamilton is anticipating a “tighter pack” at the Hungarian Grand Prix after rain disrupted Friday practice in Budapest.
The Briton led an ominous Mercedes 1-2 in the dry morning session, setting his best time on 10-lap old hard tyres while others used mediums and softs, but only completed one lap in the afternoon after downpours had soaked the Hungaroring.
Despite the limited running though, Hamilton still thought it a productive day.
“It was a great first session and we got everything we needed to do from it,” the world champion said. “There wasn’t really a lot for us to do in that last session.
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“I’d just say don’t take too much from it (Mercedes’ advantage). Everyone is out there doing different running out there in terms of wing, and fuel and engine.
“We got through what we needed to get through and are feeling okay. I think it’s going to be a lot closer when we get P3 and into qualifying.
“There was some work to do with the car but we did that and then it rained, so we won’t know until we get another dry session.”
The first two races in Austria saw the traditional pecking order scrambled as heavyweights faltered and midfield teams rose up.
And asked where he expects Mercedes’ main challenge to come from, Hamilton noted how the two-tier grid of recent years has been demolished.
“I haven’t even looked at the timing screens,” he admitted.
“I’m not aware of where everyone is but I imagine this weekend everyone will be closer together because it’s not a power-dependent circuit.
“The Ferrari engine has lost a lot of power since last year but that shouldn’t be an issue for them, it should be more down to the car this weekend and the downforce and mechanical grip package that you have.
“I’m hoping for a tighter pack. It would be great to see Renault doing well, it’s fantastic to see McLaren already doing well. It’ll be interesting to see how well they go this weekend with their great car. Racing Point are doing a fantastic as well.
“This is a Red Bull track, it’s always been a strong track for them so I anticipate it’s going to be a tough battle.”