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Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes will likely be combating for scraps behind Crimson Bull and Ferrari on the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Hamilton qualified fifth in a session which felt like a altering of the guard in F1 after eight years of Mercedes being the benchmark.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc edged out Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen for pole as their teammates Carlos Sainz and Sergio Perez locked out the second row, confirming the preseason perception these two groups are forward of the remainder coming into the brand new yr.
Mercedes has downplayed its possibilities over the previous few weeks and Saturday’s qualifying session proved it had not been bluffing, with Hamilton 0.6s down on Leclerc’s pole time, a major margin over an F1 qualifying lap.
“I am not saying I am relieved, [but] I am typically actually completely satisfied immediately,” Hamilton instructed Sky Sports activities after qualifying, having struggled to get comfy together with his Mercedes over the three follow periods this week and in testing final week.
“Given how we have been the previous few weeks, the struggles we have had and the issues we have had with the automotive, it’s kind of of a nightmare to drive. We have simply saved our heads down, saved working away and I am pleased with everybody for simply staying optimistic.
“To get fifth in quali, these guys forward of us are in one other league. So I am typically proud of the place we’re. It is not the entrance row, however we are going to make enhancements and do one of the best we will tomorrow.”
Hamilton doesn’t assume he’ll see a lot of the 4 vehicles forward of him throughout Sunday’s race.
“These guys will likely be going away… We’re not within the combat with these.
“They have been a second forward of us yesterday by way of race tempo, so my battle is with the blokes behind almost definitely. However after all I am going to attempt to be as quick as I can and get forward, however as I stated their efficiency is sort of forward of ours.”
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