Lewis Hamilton was upbeat about his Friday running despite ending the second free practice session against the barriers at the hairpin after aquaplaning off the circuit.
Heavy rain had struck the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, but the reigning Formula 1 Drivers’ Champion took to the track using the intermediate Pirelli rain tyre, but was unable to slow down approaching the hairpin. He had spun at the same corner during the opening practice session, but was overall positive about his day.
“The ending might have been so-so but it’s generally been a pretty good day,” reflected Hamilton. “I made a couple of mistakes – pushing too hard and going over the kerbs at the final chicane and then what happened at the end there.
“Looking at the replays, I wasn’t going that fast. But it was like sheet ice into Turn 10 so the car aquaplaned and I went off. It maybe wasn’t the right call to go out but, with the weather as it eventually turned out, it didn’t affect our running. I’m fine and it looks like it’s just the front wing that was damaged to it’s not the end of the world.
“In the dry, the car is feeling really good here and our long run pace was encouraging. Ferrari look like they’ve upped their pace so it will be interesting to see what happens tomorrow – but I’m sure we’ll still be strong.”
