Lewis Hamilton ended Friday in Malaysia in fourth place, with a best lap some 0.142s off pacesetter Nico Rosberg. The Mercedes driver was also been eclipsed by Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel.
Like his team mate, Hamilton had concerns about the tyres.
“We were just working to understand the tyres, which are very, very hot,” he said. “And also just making sure that the balance is right, so you can go as long as possible.
“It’s the same as every time we come here, so it’s to be expected. It’s too hot for the tyres, the tyres aren’t working very well in these conditions. Even though we’ve got the hard tyre and the medium here, the tyres do not feel great, but it’s the same for everyone.”
Told that team mate Nico Rosberg didn’t seem happy with his day, Lewis said: “We got through practice and he’s at the front, so it’s kinda weird that he wouldn’t be satisfied with that. Balance wise we are still a little bit away from where we want to be.”
Meanwhile Lewis wasn’t interested in speculating about the current status quo.
“I don’t have a guess, I’m not really focussed on anyone else, I’m just focussed on my side trying to make sure the car is comfortable beneath me. Hopefully it will go the distance.”
Adam Cooper F1 