Mercedes has "got some work to do" says Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton has confessed Mercedes has "got some work to do" after ending Friday practice at the Belgian Grand Prix third with team-mate Valtteri Bottas sixth.

Hamilton concluded FP2 0.096secs behind session leader Max Verstappen and 0.048s behind second-placed Daniel Ricciardo at Spa-Francorchamps.

In FP1 Bottas had spearheaded a Mercedes one-two but despite failing to top either session, Hamilton is excited for the weekend to come.

“It’s very close out there," said Hamilton. "The Red Bulls are just a little bit quicker at the moment.

"Even Racing Point are right with us, and also Daniel Ricciardo and the Renault is very close.

“It makes it exciting. We’ve got some work to do for sure to try to get the car dialled in a bit more, but it doesn’t feel bad at all.”

Explaining why the W11 lacked the pace shown at the six races of this season to date, Hamilton added: “I think the car, just from race to race, it’s different each place we go. Some places we’re ahead, some places we’re behind.

"As I anticipated coming into the weekend, we’re only into the seventh race so the field is going to get closer and closer as the whole of Formula 1 develops and it’s already showing that.

“This weekend we seem to be so close with everyone and we’ve got to understand why, whether they’ve taken a step or we’ve taken a step back or it’s just the track layout or downforce level. Who knows?

“So we’ll work on that. I’m excited for it. It’ll be an interesting race that’s for sure.”

Celebrating his 31st birthday, Bottas conceded to struggling with the balance of his car, specifically with the front end.

The Finn said: “To be honest, all day has been quite understeery, and still in second practice it was lacking a bit of front end here and there.

"I think for me the main lap-time gain is going to come with just a bit stronger front end and being able to get the car in places where it needs to be in the corners.”

Before you go...

Verstappen rules out Spa scrap for pole with Mercedes despite Friday pace

Verstappen fastest in Belgian FP2; more misery for Ferrari

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