Both Mercedes drivers anticipate big gains on Saturday after getting to grip with the Mugello circuit in practice.
Valtteri Bottas went fastest in both sessions on Friday ahead of the inaugural Tuscan Grand Prix, breaking the previous lap record in both the morning and afternoon.
But despite the already impressive pace, today’s Formula 1 cars are showing at the usual MotoGP venue, the Finn thinks he is just getting started.
“In the first session I struggled quite a bit with understeer, and still in some places in the second session, but it was definitely better,” he analysed.
“There’s still quite a bit of lap time to unlock, as it always happens on a track where you and the cars haven’t been to.
“As a driver, you tend to find pretty big gains from one day to the other, so I think that from the car, but even more so from the drivers, we will find performance.”
One factor many were talking about in the build-up was tyres, given the layout is predominantly made up of medium and high-speed corners.
“It is tough, it’s a really high-energy circuit for the tyres, but it was quite a bit better than what we expected, so, that’s good news,” Bottas added.
“Always, in the high-speed corners, we are going to be overheating and Sunday is going to be pretty hot as well.”
As for teammate Lewis Hamilton, he is finding it a little tougher to get settled around Mugello as he built pace during the day.
But of the now 31 different circuits he’s raced at in F1, this one is certainly high on his list of favourites.
“I like it, it’s fast,” he stated. “It’s definitely a real challenge, just I’m not that great at it just yet, but I’m working on it.
“I’m trying to push it to the limit, I think there are sections like the last sector, I’ve got that sorted and pretty happy with that.
“The first and second sector are a little bit weak for me, particularly the first sector. There’s plenty to come in that section.
“Max and Valtteri are very quick through there so I’ll do a lot of studying tonight and hopefully I’ll rectify that tomorrow.”
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Comparing it to the other venues F1 has added over the past decade, physically, Hamilton sees similarities to another circuit returning later this year.
“It almost feels like Turkey, the triple left-hander whatever it is there, it is incredibly fast through the first, 6, 7, 8, 9, it’s intense,” he explained.
“I have to say it’s amazing to experience it. It’s going to be difficult to look after the tyres through that section but everyone is in the same boat.
“On the long run it’s one of the most physically demanding circuits that we’ve been at for a while, particularly with those double right-handers, most of the time we’re flat out through those sections, and it’s just holding your neck the whole time. I love that.”
