The long straight is a concern for Lewis Hamilton. As a pole sitter, he has to travel the 900 meters to the second corner – the first real corner of the circuit, alone, with the rest of the field in his slipstream.
“It is a good starting position, but this year we have already seen that our car has more drag and there is more tow than in previous years. I therefore expect that Verstappen or Bottas will fly past me at some point.”
Verstappen and Bottas also have a strategic advantage. They start on the medium tire, while Hamilton has to start on the soft tire. It is expected to wear out quickly, putting Hamilton at a strategic disadvantage.
“I have to focus on my race and that means I have to drive the fastest possible race. At the start I have the least papers, because I start on the soft tire that wears ten times faster than the other tires. very difficult. I don’t know yet whether I should make a two-stopper now. “
“All I know is that I have to manage my tires to the maximum and that if Valtteri and Max catch up with me, they will drive away from me. I have to make a battle plan and see how I can defend my position on Sunday.”
With the cooperation of Dieter Rencken.
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