Hamilton says Mexican GP track is "crazy" slippery
Lewis Hamilton has highlighted the "slippery" nature of the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez as Formula 1 action made its official return to the track on Friday.
Photo by: XPB Images
Hamilton ended FP1 all the way down in 11th, but moved up to fourth in FP2, four tenths off his session-topping teammate Nico Rosberg.
However, FP2 also saw Hamilton spin at Turn 5 and flat-spot his tyres at Turn 13.
Subsequently describing the track conditions as "challenging but fun", he commented: "It's crazy how slippery it is out there.
"Because it is so high in altitude, it is way worse grip than you have in Monza, which is quite low [already]" Hamilton continued. "You are sliding around so it is a bit like a go-kart track.
"Everyone is going to have oversteer moments and [will be] sliding around, so it is about stability.
"Because it is new, the surface has no rubber, so there is a lot less grip. It is getting better and better though."
Rosberg says cooling brakes will be tough
While Rosberg emerged as the Friday's pacesetter, the most notable moment of his day came in FP1, when his brakes erupted in flames after a lock-up.
The German subsequently admitted that keeping brake temperature in check will be no easy feat throughout the weekend.
"It is a challenge, we are really on the edge here," he said. "if you cool brake, you lose performance, you lose downforce, [so] you want to be on the edge."
Just as his teammate, Rosberg also likened the low-grip conditions to a karting track, saying: "It is very slippery, the asphalt is new and very smooth, and doesn't have a lot of grip so [the car] is sliding around a lot.
"It reminds me of my youth, a bit of a go-kart track but better to drive."
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