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After picking up their first win of the season in Brazil last weekend, mercedes benz Arrived in Abu Dhabi hoping to end the campaign on highs and fight on the front line again.
lewis hamilton Russell led to a 1-2 finish in daytime FP1 at the Yas Marina Circuit on Friday, but Max Verstappen Bringing Red Bull back to the field in the second practice.
Verstappen ended the race with a three-tenths of a second lead over Russell, with Hamilton two-tenths of a second back in fourth.
Russell sees it as a “very strong day” for Mercedes, having tested his car in FP1 to help with developments in 2023, but believes Red Bull has the edge in terms of pace.
“It felt quick there, but I think Red Bull just got the upper hand on us,” Russell said.
“Single lap, maybe two tenths ahead, long runs maybe more. We had some work to do overnight, but with ferrari, [we] It seems reasonable. “
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes W13
Photography: Carl Bingham/ motorsport pictures
Russell pointed out that the Red Bull RB18’s advantages in straight lines and low-speed corners are very suitable for the characteristics of the Abu Dhabi circuit.
“The race, as I say, [we’re] A little bit behind Red Bull,” he said.
“We know their car is really slippery on the straights, very efficient, and on a track like this with two long straights and a lot of low-speed corners, it’s a car that suits them perfectly.
“so [I’m] Glad we were much closer than we said at the Spa, which wasn’t too different from this. “
Hamilton echoed Russell’s thoughts at the end of the day that Mercedes was fast but still slightly behind Red Bull, admitting his game “wasn’t great but I don’t know where it stands compared to the others.”
“Red Bull looked a bit faster here, which is to be expected,” said the seven-time world champion, he added.
“We didn’t expect it to be our strongest game. But we’ll work hard overnight. We’re basically there, so hopefully we’ll have a good game.”
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