F1 | Tuscan GP | Valtteri Bottas: "This track is definitely one of the most physically demanding"
After leading both practice sessions, Valtteri Bottas has commented that the Mugello Circuit is one of the most physically demanding due to its high-speed corners and chicanes.
The first day of on-track action of the Tuscan Grand Prix has come to an end and the drivers have already been able to run the first two free practice sessions at the Mugello Circuit in their cars.
Ithas been a remarkably busy first day for both the drivers and the teams as it is a new circuit and they need to get as much information as possible. Although this was not a disadvantage for Mercedes or for both of its drivers, especially Valtteri Bottas, who remained in the first position in both sessions.
Six-time world champion and Valtteri's teammate Lewis Hamilton finished fourth in the morning session, while in the afternoon he managed to finish second, just two-tenths behind the Finnish driver. It should be noted that the time set by Valtteri at the end of the second practice sessions was the new track record of the circuit, we are talking about a time of 1:16.989. The second Mercedes driver was the only one who managed to break the barrier of 1 minute and 17 seconds, great job from Valtteri!
“It’s been a lot of fun today and I enjoyed every single lap. The whole opening section with the high-speed chicanes and the second sector is just amazing and the car felt pretty good out there.” The Finnish driver commented. “I struggled with quite a lot of understeer in the first session and still in places in the second session, but it felt better”.
Fast Friday in Tuscany 🇮🇹🏁
— Valtteri Bottas (@ValtteriBottas) September 11, 2020
Love this track! 😍
Read about the day: https://t.co/fJqi6f5UqO#VB77 #F1 #TuscanGP @MercedesAMGF1 @F1 pic.twitter.com/gFPpssHN4E
The German team focused on understanding the tyres at this new track in both sessions. Another factor they studied was how their car behaves on both short and long runs.
“I think there’s still quite a bit of lap time to unlock, both in the car and also as a driver. This track is definitely one of the most physically demanding. We’ll only properly get to see the effects of that in the race distance, but even today, I could feel it and it’s going to be tough for everyone on Sunday. It’s also quite unforgiving, with little margin for error and that’s how it should be.” Affirmed the Mercedes driver.
We saw Lando Norris crashing on FP2 and, just as Valtteri commented, there is almost no margin for error, so when the British driver touched some grass he ended up in the barriers destroying his front wing.
Tomorrow is qualifying day, when the drivers will have to race as fast as they can in order to have a good grid position. This track is extremely demanding so we might see some crashes tomorrow. Who will get the pole?
