Lewis Hamilton has not ruled out winning an eighth world title during the new season that starts in Bahrain next weekend, but fears Max Verstappen’s Red Bull team hold all the aces.
Verstappen’s demeanour yesterday demonstrated as much after three days of testing on the same Sakhir circuit that will stage the opening race. The Dutchman did not quite wear the grin of the cat who got the cream, but that is what his relaxed manner amounted to.
As for the opposition, Mercedes are happy not to be wrestling with a horror car like last year’s. They have a platform to build on but their contentment is limited when they compare themselves to the world championship-defending juggernaut down the pits.
Ferrari, last year’s runners-up but under new team principal Fred Vasseur after the departure of Mattia Binotto, are also disappointed to have lost the initial development race to Red Bull.
Hamilton, speaking for the first time since driving his new car, said: ‘It is difficult to sum up the test. We have had a couple of difficult days. Friday particularly was a bit of a struggle. Right now, the bouncing has pretty much gone, so that is a huge step for us, but there are still some underlining things we are working through.
Asked if he would specify the problems, the 38-year-old said: ‘Not really. They are just things we are working through. Some of the balance limitations we had last year are still present.
‘I am really proud of the team for continuing to remain positive after a tough year.
‘There has been amazing work through the winter for us to arrive here in the position we are and to have the high mileage we have managed. I have been at Mercedes a long time and every single year they arrive with the same mental focus and determination to fix any issue. We will hopefully get there.’
Verstappen, chasing a third successive title after winning 15 of 22 rounds in 2022, summed up his team’s confidence by saying: ‘Our only goal is to win the championship.’ He completed 204 laps, only an oil leak on Friday afternoon interrupting his serene progress, as he mostly topped the timings.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc admitted he was still ‘trying to find the sweet spot’ in his new machinery. He added: ‘I’ve been trying a lot of different driving styles. I seem to have found my way a little bit this morning, finally.
‘I expect us to be a bit quicker in the straights, maybe struggling a little bit more in the corners.’
Beyond last year’s top three, Aston Martin have made a promising start, music to the ears of 41-year-old new boy Fernando Alonso. He is dreaming of adding a third title to his CV in his Indian summer.
‘About 95 per cent of this year’s car is new,’ said Alonso. ‘We are still experimenting a little bit with a different set-up. We have a few races to exploit the true potential of the car.’
Hamilton also fears lives could be put at risk if F1 presses ahead with a plan to outlaw tyre blankets.
A vote will be taken in July on the future of tyre warmers, which allow drivers to have rubber with greater grip and pressure.
Their removal is being considered on cost and sustainability grounds, but Hamilton said: ‘It is dangerous.
‘When you go out, the car is skating around, it is very twitchy, and if someone else is on tyres that are working, you could easily collide with them. It is a pointless exercise.’
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