Hamilton claims Ferrari hold long run advantage

Lewis Hamilton thinks that Ferrari holds the advantage after Friday practice, claiming that the Prancing Horses are two-tenths of a second ahead of the reigning champions. 

Mercedes had a quiet start to the weekend, with both drivers finishing in the mid pack after FP1, before Hamilton's fastest lap was compromised by a slow Nico Hulkenberg on the racing line heading into turn 10.

Vettel finished the two practice sessions fastest, but Hamilton reckons that on the long-term pace, Ferrari currently holds the edge.

"It was incredibly hot early on, with some of the very toughest conditions – both physically and in terms of working with the tyres," said Hamilton after Friday practice.

"We got through that and then it was much cooler in the afternoon, giving us a much better representation of what qualifying and the race will be like. I was able to get a much better understanding of where the car is in FP2.

"It was very close, with Ferrari fastest. In race-trim they seem a couple of tenths quicker, so I'm expecting a great battle tomorrow and then again on Sunday. We'll work as hard as we can to try to close that gap."

Fergal Walsh