Lewis Hamilton says he’s expecting a tougher time this season as it appears a handful of rivals have closed the gap over the winter period.
Hamilton’s team-mate Nico Rosberg believes Ferrari have made the biggest step in terms of performance and reckons they could be a threat.
Whilst Hamilton says he’s not been looking at where his rivals are, he too admitted that Ferrari as well as Red Bull look strong after their chart-topping times.
“Zero. I’ve not been looking at the others,” he said. “[Pastor] Maldonado was quick today but everyone was on different tyres, different fuel loads.
“Ferrari looks quite strong, similar to Red Bull, but I don’t know where we are amongst those.”
The Briton, whilst confident in Mercedes form, says it’s too hard to predict but is at least expecting a clearer picture at the final test next week.
“I think everyone will have a better idea next week when everyone brings their upgrade for the first race. Then when you get to the first race it’s all different because the tyres start handling different. It’s like juggling blind.
“That’s what I love about this sport – I don’t really know what’s to come. I anticipate a harder fight this year, that’s what I’m anticipating.”
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