The seven-time world champion ended the dry second practice session at the Hungaroring down in 16th on the timesheets, with team-mate George Russell in final, because the pair every used only a single set of mediums all through.
However whereas conscious that the squad was on a distinct programme to everybody else, Hamilton had a fairly downbeat evaluation on the sensation from his W14.
“It wasn’t feeling good,” he stated. “It was feeling just like the automobile at its worst as we speak.
“However we’ll work on the set-up tonight and hopefully tomorrow, like final yr the place it felt horrible at first, you flip it round with some set-up modifications.
“So, we’re engaged on that tonight. Hopefully tomorrow will likely be higher.”
Russell was barely extra optimistic about the place Mercedes stood in actual phrases, as he was equally conscious that his crew usually has troublesome Fridays earlier than steadily bettering over the course of the weekend.
“It did not really feel too unhealthy in all honesty,” he stated. “We had been clearly on very totally different programmes to all people else, as we solely used one set of tyres all through. It was a set of used tyres as nicely from FP1.
“So, the lap occasions don’t actually give a real illustration, and I am certain tomorrow will likely be higher. However we’re nonetheless simply targeted on attempting to enhance.
“We all the time know that we form of are inclined to get higher because the weekend progresses, which is the precise manner spherical for it to be. There have been just a few attention-grabbing issues we discovered even in that one session, so let’s examine what we will do tonight.”
George Russell, Mercedes F1 W14, Carlos Sainz, Ferrari SF-23
Picture by: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images
Russell felt that the main focus for enhancements wanted to come back from higher tyre administration, each by way of switching them on for qualifying after which managing them within the race.
“We’re struggling simply with a little bit of general grip,” added the Briton. “I do not suppose the tyres are in the precise window, each at low gas and excessive gas.
“So, we simply want to grasp why that was: if we have to take a quicker out-lap or slower out-lap for the qualifying stint, and for the race run if we should be pushing tougher or managing extra.
“These items are just a little bit troublesome generally when you’re in a cockpit, with out having to take a look at the information to grasp really the tyres are on the cooler or the warmer aspect, and what do they precisely have to go a bit quicker.
“As I stated, it wasn’t our greatest day for certain. Nevertheless it’s not the primary time I’ve stated that on a Friday night. And Saturday and Sunday usually is healthier.”