Hamilton and Bottas still learning the W10

Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas have both said that they are still learning the full potential of the W10 Mercedes in Barcelona.

The Mercedes drivers haven’t been up the top of the leader board for fastest time in the past three days as they have been focussing on longer stints and gathering information about the car.
 
Bottas set a best time of 1.20.693 across 88 laps on the track, whilst Hamilton set a similar 1.20.818 through 94 laps. Both drivers have been using the C3 compound tyre, yet to go any softer.
 
Hamilton said after the testing session: “We got a lot of mileage in again today, both Valtteri and myself completed a whole race distance, so it’s been a good day for reliability.
 
“We have been digging deep, trying to understand the car, pretty much the same as the beginning of every year.

“I love that challenge of coming back each year; getting into a new car is like meeting someone new – you don’t know the good and bad and the journey you go on with that car is a real privileged position.

“This looks like it is going to be the most challenging year of our partnership so I’m super excited.”

Bottas agreed with Hamilton and said: “Similar to the last two days, we did some more aero measurements in the morning.

“After that we completed a full race distance for the first time in the new car, 66 laps in a row without any issues.

“We’re learning more and more about the W10 and it again felt better than the day before. There’s still room for improvement, but we’re making progress every day.”