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Hamilton looking for improved performance in Baku

Hamilton looking for improved performance in Baku

22-04-2019 09:00 Last update: 09:00
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Bobby Vincent

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton is looking for a much-improved peformance at Baku, after one win in Azerbaijan out of the two races that have been at the circuit so far.

Hamilton won the second grand prix in Baku that took place in 2018, but had to work very hard for it. Daniel Ricciardo topped the grid the season before for Red Bull Racing, with Hamilton starting on pole, but only managing P5.

Last season, Hamilton looked set to finish in P2, but his team-mate Valtteri Bottas suffered a puncture with not long to go - allowing Lewis to take his position and win a chaotic race in Azerbaijan.

Hamilton is looking for a much-improved performance in Baku this time around. 

"This is a nice circuit, but also a circuit where I had to work hard," Hamilton explained to Spanish publication, Marca. "My attitude is to improve my previous performances and results here.

"I was lucky when I won here last year. However, I was not fast enough during the weekend. I expect Valtteri to be here again soon, as well as Ferrari being competitive again. They won a lot on the straight, but lost in the turns."

Ferrari's SF90 has been designed for powerful straight-line speed, but not as mobile as Mercedes when approaching the corners, and Hamilton is interested to see if Scuderia will opt with that approach again in Baku.

"It will be interesting if they stick to that philosophy," Hamilton claimed. "It may turn out well on some tracks. Baku does lend itself to that, but other jobs are considerably less."