P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Mercedes F1 car feels best it has all season in Japan practice, says Hamilton
Mercedes faced challenges with its W15 at the start of the campaign, but George Russell and Lewis Hamilton showed improvement in Suzuka’s morning free practice session, finishing fourth and fifth. This session was crucial due to limited representative running with damp conditions in FP2. Hamilton expressed satisfaction with the progress made in addressing the car’s weaknesses, calling it the best session of the year so far. Despite past difficulties at Suzuka, the team’s recent work resulted in a better car balance, providing a more positive driving experience. Both Hamilton and Russell highlighted the improvement in performance, especially in managing variable conditions. With high tyre degradation expected, drivers will need to maximize their qualifying laps, focusing on one-lap attempts for success in Q3.
