Mercedes disappointed: ‘Lost positions with yellow flag after Perez' spin'

"After a really difficult qualifying session last week, it's been encouraging to see that we have been able to get the car and tyres in a better place throughout free practice and qualifying. Both drivers lost positions with the yellow flag caused by Sergio's spin, which is frustrating when it's as tight as it was today but sometimes that's just the way it goes", Shovlin begins in Mercedes' official press release.

Hamilton believes he could have fought for a place on the front row of the grid, but Sergio Perez's spin in the closing stages of Q3 prevented both Mercedes drivers from completing their fast lap. Nevertheless, the team has a good feeling about the race.

Mercedes expects different strategies

"We did some race work this morning during final practice and both drivers were encouraged by the way the car was handling and looking after its tyres, so that will hopefully bode well for tomorrow", Shovlin continues.

" It's also hard to know where everyone is going to go on strategy for tomorrow. There's wasn't a lot of long run data due to a number of red flags so it may be we see a range of strategies up and down the grid which could give us opportunity. We do normally race better than we qualify and if that proves to be the case, we should be able to make some good progress in the race tomorrow", ends the Mercedes engineer.