Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes has a ‘mountain to climb’ ahead of 2023 Formula 1 Bahrain GP opener

Lewis Hamilton: “We understand we now have a mountain to climb”; Ted Kravitz thinks Aston Martin forward of Mercedes in early pecking order; watch the Bahrain GP reside on Sky Sports activities F1 subsequent weekend, with on-track motion from Friday to Sunday

Lewis Hamilton admits Mercedes has a ‘mountain to climb’ after a tricky three days of pre-season testing, whereas Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz thinks Aston Martin is faster forward of the weekend’s opening race subsequent.

Mercedes entered the take a look at in Bahrain with essentially the most inquiries to reply and, whereas the previous Components 1 world champions labored by their bouncy automobile points, they nonetheless struggled with grip and tempo, which has was masked by Hamilton posting the second quickest time behind Sergio Perez on the ultimate day.

Purple Bull has been put in as a favourite for the Bahrain GP – which is reside on Sky Sports activities F1 from Friday to Sunday – by Ferrari and Mercedes, and Hamilton opened up about his staff’s struggles after the take a look at.

“It has been an attention-grabbing few days, it is by no means simple,” Hamilton mentioned. “There have been many discoveries.

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Sergio Perez units quickest lap in C4 tire testing in his Purple Bull

“I feel what has impressed me essentially the most is that it is my eleventh 12 months with the staff and everybody has are available with the identical mentality, working arduous, nobody has been complacent.

“We understand we now have a mountain to climb and nobody is frightened, everybody simply saved their heads down, so I am actually pleased with that.”

Hamilton had earlier mentioned Mercedes had the identical “limitations of steadiness” as final 12 months regardless of their hopes of being title challengers from the beginning this season.

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Ted Kravitz is within the paddock forward of the 2023 Components 1 season as he analyzes key moments from the third and last day of pre-season testing in Bahrain

“We’re not fairly the place we wish to be, nevertheless it’s a great platform to begin with,” he added.

“It is a way more lovely world wherein we do not bounce, however we now have tempo to select up in a straight line.

“We’ve got issues we have to work on, it is nonetheless not good and we’re nonetheless not capable of match the Purple Bulls or the Ferraris proper now.

“Who is aware of the place we will likely be subsequent week, we’ll simply attempt to keep optimistic.”

Ted: Aston Martin is forward of Mercedes

Sky Sports activities F1’s Ted Kravitz in Bahrain

“I’ve Aston Martin third and doubtlessly even a bit nearer to Ferrari. It has to do with Fernando Alonso’s race.

“Within the Bahrain GP on Saturday [long runs] as it’s, it will be Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso on the rostrum forward of Ferrari and Mercedes.

“Aston Martin has frightened Purple Bull from day one, Adrian Newey (Purple Bull technical director) has talked about them within the groups he is frightened about, the automobile is mainly good, it has good concepts. Alonso’s race on Saturday was *the chef’s kiss*.

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Ted Kravitz is within the paddock forward of the 2023 Components 1 season as he analyzes key moments from the third and last day of pre-season testing in Bahrain

“I will be a bit reluctant and say Aston Martin is third and Mercedes is fourth in the intervening time.

“We have to see an enormous step from Mercedes over the subsequent few days to be a stable third.

“When Hamilton got here out and mentioned the porpoising was largely gone however a few of the ‘steadiness limitations’ of final 12 months’s automobile are nonetheless there, I could not consider it. I believed, wait, it is the Mercedes that is imagined to agree!

“However they’re nonetheless affected by the issues they’d final 12 months.”

Components 1 is again! Watch the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix reside on Sky Sports activities F1 subsequent weekend. The observe motion begins Friday whereas Sunday’s race begins at 3 p.m. Get Sky Sports