This weekend sees Hamilton return to the scene of his controversial F1 title defeat at the hands of Red Bull’s 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Max Verstappen at the168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. 

Hamilton was denied a record-breaking eighth world title and Verstappen snatched his maiden drivers’ crown after then race-director Michael Masi botched the handling of a late 168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史:Safety Car period. 

• A dig at Hamilton? Red Bull tweet reminder of controversial Abu Dhabi finish 

• F1 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Free Practice Results (2)

The seven-time world champion insisted ahead of the weekend that he168澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果历史: ﷽won’t be thinking about the events of last season’s contentious finale. 

Hamilton made a strong s𓄧tart on Friday by leading teammate George Russell in a Mercedes 1-2 during opening practice at the Ya꧙s Marina Circuit, though he finished fourth and half a second behind Verstappen in FP2. 

“I think it looks a bit closer,” Hamilton replied when asked if he thinks Mercedes can carry over their race-winning form from Brazil last weꦓekend. 

“I think the Red Bulls look quicker here, which was expected. We didn’t expect this to be our 🙈strongest race. But we’ll work hard overnight. We’re generally right there, so hopefully we can put up a good fight.”

However, Hamilton❀ conceded that his race run “wasn’t very good, but I don’t know where it sta🀅nds compared to the others.”  

Red Bull ‘have the legs’ on Mercedes 

Russell echoed Ha☂milton’s thoughts after ending the day se🌞cond-fastest, 0.341s adrift of Verstappen. 

The Briton admitted Red Bull “had the legs” on Mercedes in the final session whenꦑ conditions were more representative of qualifying and the race. 

“It felt fast out there but I think Red Bull just have the legs on us,” said Russell. “Single lap, probably two-tenths ahead. Long runs, maybe even furthe🔜r. 

“We’ve got a little bit of work to do overnigꦰht, but compared to Ferrari it looked reasonable.” 

Russell ꦚbelieves the layout of theꦏ Abu Dhabi track suits Red Bull’s 2022 challenger “down to a tee”. 

“Race-run, as I said, a little b💙it behind Red Bull,” he added. 

“We know they have a very slippery car, very efficient on the straights and on a circuit like this, with two long straights and lots of slow speed corners, this suﷺits them down to a tee. 

“Pleased we’re much closer than we were at, let’s say, Spa, wh🦩e⛦re it’s not too dissimilar.”

But Russell is remaining positive that Mercedes can end a troubled campaign🃏 on a high note. 

“I think we’ll be fighting for it,𒁏” he said. “I’d like to think we’ll be fighting for the top three in qualifying and who knows where that can take us on Sunday.”