(Motorsports news) The Mercedes driver claimed the first day of practice on Friday was perplexing since there was so little grip available. Russell noted after finishing second practice in fifth place for Mercedes, 0.6 seconds behind pacesetter Max Verstappen, that it had not been a typical day of racing. Russell said that the asphalt, which included freshly constructed parts through Turns 3, 4, and 7, was not performing as expected.
“There appears to be a significant amount of tyre degradation,” he remarked. “It’s very strange in Suzuka. “It’s one of the best tracks in the world to drive on, but it feels like the tarmac has really broken up this year, and the cars are sliding on top of the surface. It’s given all the drivers out there a strange feeling, and that’s what’s contributing to the tyre degradation.”
Pirelli introducing the toughest of its compounds to Japan, low degradation may have pushed it to a one-stop shop. Russell believes that, while it will eventually rubber up enough to be a two-stopper, it may require more than that. “When we go to tracks like Jeddah or Melbourne, on this newer Tarmac, it is definitely really high grip,” he remarked.
“It was really fun for drivers to drive on even in Singapore in the new section, and it doesn’t offer much tyre degradation. To put things in perspective, the tyre degradation here appears to be closer to a three-stop at the moment than a one-stop.” But I believe everyone will have to make two stops on Sunday. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Russell’s optimism contrasted with that of teammate Lewis Hamilton, who had a much more difficult day since he thought nothing had gone right. “A bad day, to be honest,” Hamilton admitted after finishing 14th in the afternoon. “It’s a real battle out there.” Two seconds off in the first session, more than a second off in the second. So it’s working away, attempting to repair the car and restore the equilibrium.”
Hamilton stated that with the W14 not being particularly good in high-speed corners this year, there was little hope of a repetition of the strong form displayed in Singapore last weekend. Russell’s optimism contrasted with that of teammate Lewis Hamilton, who had a much more difficult day since he thought nothing had gone right.
“A bad day, to be honest,” Hamilton admitted after finishing 14th in the afternoon. “It’s a real battle out there.” Two seconds off in the first session, more than a second off in the second. So it’s working away, attempting to repair the car and restore the equilibrium.” Hamilton stated that with the W14 not being particularly good in high-speed corners this year, there was little hope of a repetition of the strong form displayed in Singapore last weekend.
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