Mercedes a “long way off” at Spa, says Hamilton

With the team hoping to build on the momentum gained in recent races, which included George Russell’s pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, it had felt that this weekend’s event at Spa-Francorchamps would offer it some good opportunities.

However, both Hamilton and Russell struggled for pace in Friday’s cold and damp practice sessions.

Hamilton ended the afternoon session in sixth place, more than 1.3 seconds behind the pace-setting Red Bull of Max Verstappen….