Hamilton offers verdict on Japan Friday practice performance

Lewis Hamilton experienced a challenging Friday at the Japanese Grand Prix, struggling with the balance and confidence of his Ferrari SF-26 at the demanding Suzuka Circuit. Despite finishing behind the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the seven-time world champion remains optimistic about his prospects for the weekend. Hamilton noted that the car's current behavior shares similarities with last year's struggles, but emphasized that he now has a clearer 'North Star' to guide setup improvements. The team plans to conduct a deep analysis of simulator data to unlock more potential from the car before Saturday's qualifying session.