“It is what it is, it will be what it will be,” Hamilton said. “I’m not really massively bothered, if I’m honest. I think if I can move forward in the Sprint, great. I’ll try again in qualifying two, make some changes to the car and see what we can do.”
Russell was slightly more upbeat, agreeing that the issues with a bumpy surface were “the same for everyone” throughout the Friday sessions. Combined with a change in the weather from sunny to overcast and windy, there were plenty of factors impacting car performance.
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“It was a challenging session as it got colder as the session progressed,” Russell explained. “P6 – as we’ve said for a little while – that’s kind of where we are as a team so could be better, could be worse.
“Definitely looking forward because I think we’re at the back of the front pack. There seems to be a bit of a pace delta to the next group of drivers. Honestly I enjoy the Sprint races, arriving here on a Friday straight into some action… it’s pretty fun.”
