Fresh from claiming pole position and his second Formula 1 race victory last weekend in Austria, Valtteri Bottas is on top form again this week ahead o the British Grand Prix.
The Finn topped the timesheets in both of Friday's free practice sessions. In the process, he set new track record times for Silverstone on both occasions.
"We've started the weekend really well," he beamed. "In the first session, the balance was not too far away, so a positive start.
"There is still work to do to get the car more driveable and to be able to trust it more in the high-speed corners" he added. "But overall I think it was a good start for the weekend.
"We just need to work as normal, try and make improvements for tomorrow."
The much faster pace at Silverstone had been expected, because of changes to technical regulations made over the winter.
"I'm impressed by the new cars on this track with its high-speed corners," Bottas said. "They're so much quicker than before.
"You feel more G in the corners. There's a greater effect on your body, quite a big step up from last year. But luckily I'm well prepared for that.
"I'm definitely enjoying it and had a lot of fun, so I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
"We've had a really promising start to the weekend," agreed Mercedes' technical director James Allison.
"Both cars worked well on the three different tyre compounds, as well as showing good pace on both low and high fuel.
"We worked through our programme successfully. Now our focus turns to making sure we're in the best possible place to compete on Saturday and Sunday."
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