‘We are not the quickest’: Lewis Hamilton plays down Mercedes hopes

Lewis Hamilton has expressed his concern that he will not be able to compete for wins when the Formula One championship begins next weekend. The seven-time champion believes his Mercedes car is off the pace and that his team have considerable work to do if he is to challenge for a record eighth title.

With the final test in Bahrain concluded before the country hosts the first race of the season, Hamilton was downbeat about his chances. “It’s too early to have those kind of thoughts about the world championship but at the moment I don’t think we will be competing for wins,” he said.

“We are not the quickest. Ferrari look to be the fastest, and perhaps Red Bull and then maybe us, or McLaren. We are currently not at the top.”

The Ferrari has been strong across testing, as has the Red Bull of Max Verstappen. Built to entirely new rules this season, there have been suggestions that Mercedes are hiding their car’s true form. Last year they appeared off the Red Bull pace in testing but emerged with a strong car that won the opening round.

However, Hamilton insisted his team faced a serious challenge this time. “We are being told we are talking ourselves down, but it is a bit different this year,” he said. “We have far bigger challenges and they are not one-week turnarounds. They will take a little bit longer. I am told we have a considerable amount of pace to find.”

Verstappen finished the final day quickest, in front of the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc. Hamilton was in 17th with his teammate George Russell in fourth.