World Championship leader Lewis Hamilton says that Mercedes still has the upper hand after Nico Rosberg topped the times in practice in Bahrain today.
Hamilton was fastest in FP1 but only fourth behind Rosberg and the two Red Bulls in the afternoon session, and like everyone else he found it hard to keep the tyres alive.
“It was the same as every test, really, just working on one set-up and trying to look after the tyres,” said Hamilton. “But it’s been a tough day. It’s quite a lot hotter here, so the tyres go off a lot quicker.
“Mercedes look quite quick out there. The wind direction plays a huge role here, one minute it’s a headwind into Turn 4, next lap it’s tail wind, next time it’s a cross wind, and it’s making a big difference around the circuit. I think we did our lap half an hour later than Rosberg did.
“I don’t know if that makes a big difference, but generally they seem to be quite quick as they were in the last race, I think we are there or thereabouts. But we won’t know until tomorrow.”
Regarding his chances of getting pole, he said: “I think it’s going to be the Mercedes, the Red Bull and ourselves. I honestly don’t feel we have the pace for pole, I think the Mercedes has pulled something out of the bag and generally in qualifying they have the upper hand at the moment with the straight speeds, but I think we’ll give them a good run for the money.
Hamilton said he likes the Sakhir track.
“I enjoy driving it, it’s a real challenge, and particularly looking after your tyres here as well. I don’t think people fully understand how hot it is out there and how hot the track surface is, and when you’re braking the amount of energy that goes through your tyres. The temperatures are just rising and rising and rising and it’s just like driving on an ice rink.
“I think it’s going to be very similar to the last race, I think everyone’s struggling with tyre degradation. It’s a real issue for everyone here. It’s really who can look after the tyres the most.”
Adam Cooper F1 
Dear me, I haven’t seen a single line mentioning engines load on that track, brakes wear, lateral G forces, setup in terms of toe-out, castor, etc F1 tech stuff – all I hear about is tires, tyres, the rubber, the optional compound.
I understand why this is happening, but for how long we’re going to talk about tires’ nursing only?