Lewis Hamilton hoping to find repeat formula at 'real classic'

Lewis Hamilton has hailed Zandvoort "a real classic" circuit where the four-time F1 champion is hoping to repeat his form from Spa if the weather forecast holds for the weekend.

On media day at the Dutch Grand Prix venue, the coastal track was hit by a huge downpour that flooded a crucial access tunnel that runs underneath the main straight and provides access to the paddock.

Rain is due to fall at various stages over the weekend, which can often be unpredictable due to the tidal conditions of the prevailing North Sea, but could play into Hamilton's hands if the Belgian Grand Prix weekend is anything to go by.

In the wet conditions that prevailed at the start of that race, following a delay, Hamilton delivered some of his best form of the year, making several overtakes from his lowly 16th on the grid before becoming the first to pit for dry rubber.

That decision allowed Hamilton to further leapfrog up the field, going on to finish seventh by the chequered flag.

As to his chances this weekend in potentially wet conditions, speaking to the media, including RacingNews365, Hamilton said: "This is an amazing circuit, a real classic.

"The racing is not the best in the sense that it's not that easy to overtake. We only have one short straight.

"But I think the rain will make it more exciting, definitely much more of a challenge, more of a mix. So I do hope the car and I gel better this weekend, like we did in Spa."

Hamilton hopeful of fine-tuned components

It has been a difficult year for Hamilton since his high-profile move to Ferrari from Mercedes, where he won six of his seven titles.

The 40-year-old has yet to finish on the podium in a grand prix, in contrast to team-mate Charles Leclerc, who has scored five.

Recent updates on the car before the summer break, designed to aid Hamilton's comfort with it, notably regarding engine braking, have still to yield their true reward for the Briton.

Hamilton, though, is hopeful of an uptick in performance this weekend.

"We have made a lot of progress, and I think we're slowly starting to progress as a team," said Hamilton. "We're going in the right direction.

"With the new components, we've started to fine-tune them. Bit by bit, race by race, we're extracting more from them, so I'm hoping this weekend, maybe more."