Lewis Hamilton: “I’m not 100%”

We had to wait until the last qualification of the season to see a Mercedes get beaten in the dry. Alone Lance stroll had previously managed to dominate them, in the rain.

Normally, the black arrows seem slightly behind this weekend. “We saw during free practice 3 that Red Bull was very fast” comments Valtteri Bottas, second on the grid. “Our main problem is that we have a lot of trouble getting the soft tires to work, we are better with the mediums. »

The two Mercedes in fact signed the two fastest times in Q2 ahead of Max Verstappen with the mediums, while they found themselves behind in Q3 with the softs. “We improved, but it wasn’t enough. For my part, I was not very satisfied with my ride, the balance was not good especially at the front. »

His teammate Lewis Hamilton, back after missing the Sakhir Grand Prix due to coronavirus, will start from outside the front row. “It’s a tough weekend. I'm not 100%, I've lost a lot of weight and I still feel the effects of the virus in my lungs,” assures the world champion. “In the car, it took me a while to get back into rhythm. Even though it's only been two weeks without riding, I've lost the feeling. »

The Briton fears the Grand Prix from a physical point of view. “It won’t be the smoothest race but I’ll manage and give it everything I have. »

On a circuit where it is very difficult to overtake, Lewis Hamilton will have to surpass himself to win. “It’s always exciting to start a little behind and see how you can manage to find a way to win. Strategy will not be essential, we will make a stop. On the other hand, the departure will be crucial. »

The Mercedes have not lost in Abu Dhabi since 2014.