Bahrain GP: Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes facing challenging start to the F1 season

Lewis Hamilton is resigned to a difficult start to the Formula 1 season with his Mercedes team lagging behind champions Red Bull.

“I knew from the moment I drove the car where we were and the challenges we are facing,” Hamilton said.

Team-mate George Russell added: “It is going to be a challenging weekend if we want to fight for victory.”

The widespread opinion in the paddock before this weekend’s opening race and after last week’s pre-season testing is that Red Bull, and particularly lead driver and two-time champion Max Verstappen, are the class of the field by some margin.

Ferrari, Mercedes and the much-improved Aston Martin team are believed to be next in line.

Russell added: “Red Bull are in a bit of a league of their own in Bahrain this weekend but there will be a nice fight for second place probably with Ferrari and Aston Martin.”

But Hamilton and Russell expressed confidence that Mercedes could replicate their strong development through last season, which saw them recover from a weak start to take a one-two at the penultimate race.

“There is no reason why we can’t fight as the season hots up,” Russell said.

 

Both Russell and Hamilton said Mercedes had made progress since the end of pre-season testing last week, and the team have a new rear wing which they hope will reduce the size of the gap to Red Bull.

“I am not going to sit here and say we are going to find that lap-time deficit to Red Bull,” Russell said, “but we are definitely in a more comfortable place than on Friday night.”

And Mercedes believe they have rid the car of its biggest problem last year, a high-speed bouncing caused by an aerodynamic flaw.

Hamilton said: “On a positive note, not having bouncing is a huge plus and trying to understand what the problems were while having bouncing made it difficult to work out what those are. We don’t have that now and we can focus on pure performance.

“This still is a multi-championship-winning team and group of people.”

Hamilton added: “Hopefully those behind will continue to apply pressure [to Red Bull]. Ferrari have a decent package, Aston have a decent package and we are hunting too.

“I don’t think Max will slip up. He is a world champion and I wouldn’t question his determination and focus.”