Lewis Hamilton has said that he will “need to learn to run straight away” at this weekend’s Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, given that he is missing FP1.
The Briton will make way for Antonio Fuoco, the Ferrari simulator driver who was part of the Italian marque’s glorious 2024 Le Mans 24 Hours triumph.
Fuoco, who is also one of the team’s simulator drivers, is being afforded the seat of the #44 car alongside Charles Leclerc in the opening practice session.
The seven-time F1 champion is hopeful that Ferrari’s victory via Carlos Sainz there last season will prove to be a good platform to ensure the team can fight at the front again.
“I think we’re still trying to extract more from this car,” Hamilton told media including Motorsport Week.
“I think last race we got a lot out of the car, but I still think there’s a little bit more performance in this car.
“From track to track, it’s a little bit different each weekend. You don’t know how strong everyone’s going to be, but I think Ferrari were very strong here last year.
“So I’m hoping that we can take the learnings that they had last year and apply them this weekend.”
First practice in Mexico will be an early indicator of how teams may wish to set themselves up for the race, but for Hamilton, it will be a lie-in and a break.
However, Hamilton is aware that the absence from FP1 will mean that he must get up to speed fast if he is to find the right balance for qualifying and the race.
“I anticipate the car’s going to feel quite a lot different to what I experienced last year here than the previous years that I’ve been here, and I’m missing FP1, so this weekend I need to learn to run straight away, as opposed to building up to speed,” he said.
“I’m really, really hoping that we can be as strong again this weekend and really try to take the fight to the guys up ahead.”
READ MORE – The nine rookies taking the stage in FP1 at the F1 Mexico GP
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