Lewis Hamilton likened the Montreal circuit to an ice rink after struggling with a serious lack of grip on Friday. Hamilton branded the option tyres “useless,” and said they were so bad that he had to give up on them and pit early.
Although the McLarens were quick in the morning, the team seems to be in more trouble than most as it attempts to find a set-up.
“I’m not happy with way this afternoon went,” said Hamilton. “Today in general the track has been incredibly difficult to drive, just very difficult to switch the tyres on, and get the heat into the tyres. It’s just like being on an ice rink out there, it’s so slippery, and it’s such a huge difference to when I was here before. We’re struggling a little bit, that’s for sure.
“I find when you go out there, and the tyre should be coming in, the car is just sliding all the time. Masses of oversteer everywhere, you’re just correcting the car all the time.”
Asked where the car could be improved, Hamilton said: “Everywhere! We’re not pulling away down the straights, we have a lot of bottoming. There’s areas we can improve, We’re going to have a big debrief now about where we want to go with the car. But it’s a bit of an unknown, because we tried a few things, and it was just as bad, if not worse. On the option tire it’s unbelievable. The graining I had on the option tyre, I had to come in, it was so difficult.”
There’s speculation that the tyre situation could lead to a variety of strategies come Sunday.
“It’s going to be an interesting one. I don’t think you’re going to be seeing a long first stint on the option tyres, that’s for sure.
“It just chews up, it’s useless, so maybe you will see a two-stop. I am sure it will be quicker than what I just drove…”
Adam Cooper F1 