Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes will ‘struggle’ to qualify in top 10 at Spanish Grand Prix

A downbeat Lewis Hamilton admitted it will be a “struggle” to get inside the top 10 starters for Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix after an underwhelming day in practice in his upgraded Mercedes.

The Briton was an underwhelming 11th after practice double at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya, more than six tenths of a second behind the predictable pace-setter Max Verstappen.

Fernando Alonso, the home favourite, is the most realistic challenger for the all-conquering Red Bull team, finishing second for Aston Martin, just 0.170 seconds back. George Russell was eighth in the other Mercedes.

Hamilton admitted on Thursday that his car’s much-anticipated upgrade, which made its debut in Monaco a week ago, had not provided the improvements he was hoping for.

“From the pace that I had today it will be a struggle to get into the top 10, but hopefully we can make some changes overnight,” he said on Friday night. “It is impressive to see the improvements that everyone has made all around us. If you look at the Alpines, and you can see the Aston Martin is right behind the Red Bull which is impressive. It is not going to be easy that is for sure.”

It was his new machine’s second outing at a track where the Silver Arrows said they would obtain a greater understanding of their upgrades. The evidence suggests they are no closer to taking on the mighty Red Bull, or leapfrogging rivals Aston Martin and Ferrari.

Verstappen, 39 points clear in his pursuit for a third successive title, has been in a class of one for the past 18 months and his dominance continued on Friday.

Alonso however, lingers with intent. His home race this weekend marks the 10th anniversary of his 32nd and last win in the sport. The Spaniard, 41, is enjoying a career resurgence following his transfer from Alpine to Aston Martin, finishing on the podium at five of the first six races.

“Every time I have come to Barcelona I have been told it has been five years since I last won, and then seven years, and now it is 10,” said Alonso.

“But it doesn’t feel that long to me. Last year we saw how much Mercedes improved during the season, and they won in Brazil with George. There will be an opportunity around the corner and we have to be there to take it.”