Lewis Hamilton was fastest overall at a wet Silverstone on Friday, but the McLaren man admitted it had been a largely unproductive day, with the team unable to properly assess its latest updates.
He also expressed his sympathy for fans who spent a day in the rain, but didn’t see much track action.
“We didn’t get to test the components, but we had some fun out there, we still got to do a few laps,” said Hamilton. “But for me I was just more concerned for the fans, there were so many great fans here today.
“I’ve never, ever seen so many on a Friday, and unfortunately with this terrible weather… And we don’t have enough tyres to go out and keep them entertained. I really appreciate the support and having them here, so I hope they keep warm and stay strong because it’s hopefully going to be a good weekend.”
Hamilton said he enjoyed the wet weather driving: “It’s exciting. You grip onto the steering wheel perhaps harder than you normally do just to help make sure you are fully in control of the vehicle, you’re aquaplaning all the time, so you have to be very, very in tune with your senses, more so than other times.”
Unusually Lewis also took a stroll up and down the pit lane during the session, visiting teams at both ends.
“I was bored, and very rarely do I get to walk down the pitlane and have a look at other garages, see how they’re set up, see how their pit lights are, and see what the cars have different to mine. It’s good to be able to see it firsthand.”
Adam Cooper F1 