As expected, the COTA’s track surfa✱ce made it difficult for the drivers, particularly this year given the new ground effect philosophy of cars.

Hamilton’s comments come after he drove the Mercedes W12 - the car which finished runner-up to 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances in 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Abu Dhabi 2021 - earlier in the year.

Speaking after FP2, Hamilton was as𝓡ked how he found the bumpy track surface at COTA.

“Horrible,” he said. “I came hereꦅ after Montreal and I drove last year’s c♐ar, and it was so good. I remember just getting out and just beaming from ear to ear, because it was so smooth. It had good downforce, good power. 

“Obviously this year we lost a bit of power with the biofuels and the car is so stiff. Now coming to drive the car... Luckily I don’t actually have ꧃many fillings, because if I did, they w🐭ould have all come out this year for sure. 

“It’s just so bumpy and I’m really, really praying for a no༺n-bumpy car next year.” 

Hamilton 'definitely felt improvements’ with upgrade 

Mercedes have introduced several upgr๊ades for this weekend in Austin.

Part of that new package was a new front wing, however, Mercedes decided not to run it as they don’t h෴ave any spares nor can they give it to both drivers (as there’s only one).

Mercedes plan to have spares for next weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix,ꦏ while the rest of t💃he new parts were on the car.

Hamilton felt the upgrades were a step in the right direction as he ended FP1 third overall behind 168澳洲5最新开奖结果:Carlos Sainz and Verstappen.

“Firstly, I’m super grateful to everyone back at the factory for working so hard and bringing us the upgrade for this weekend,” Hamilton added. “It’s♑ been a tough year for everyone at the factory and for them to be continuously pushing and keeping their heads down and pulling out these new upgrades, I’m super grateful. 

“I kept the car in one piece today - just about - which is good. And definitely felt improvements in the car. Obviously FP2 was a bit of a waste in terms of figuri♒ng out performance, but P1 was feeling quite good. 

“I’m hoping we make some changes t𒁏onight and we’ll find out exactly where we stand. But it doesn’t feel like we are too far away.”