Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes have ‘mountain to climb’ ahead of Formula 1 2023 opening Bahrain GP

Lewis Hamilton: “We realize that we have a mountain to climb”; Ted Kravitz believes Aston Martin is ahead of Mercedes in the initial pecking order; Watch the Bahrain GP live on Sky Sports F1 next weekend, with track action from Friday to Sunday

Lewis Hamilton admits Mercedes have a “mountain to climb” after three tough days of pre-season testing, while Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz believes Aston Martin is faster ahead of next weekend’s opening race.

Mercedes came to the test in Bahrain with the most questions to answer and, while the former Formula 1 world champion solved the car’s bouncy problem, it still struggled for grip and speed, covered by Hamilton posting the second fastest time behind Sergio Perez. on the last day.

Red Bull have been installed as favorites for the Bahrain GP – which is live on Sky Sports F1 from Monday to Sunday – by Ferrari and Mercedes, and Hamilton revealed the team’s struggle after the test.

“It’s been an interesting few days, not easy,” Hamilton said. “There are a lot of discoveries.

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Sergio Perez set the fastest test on C4 tires at Red Bull

“I think what I like the most is, this is my 11th year with the team and everyone has the same mentality, work hard, nobody is complacent.

“We realized we had a mountain to climb and there was no fuss, everyone just kept going down, so I’m very proud.”

Hamilton previously said Mercedes had the same “balancing limitations” from last year despite hoping to become title challengers from this season.

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Ted Kravitz was in the paddock ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season as he analyzed the key moments from the third and final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

“We’re not quite where we want to be, but it’s a good platform to start from,” he said.

“It’s a better world when we don’t bounce, but we have some steps to take in a straight line.

“We have some things to work on, it’s still not perfect and we still can’t compete with the Red Bulls, or the Ferraris, at the moment.

“Who knows where we’ll be next week, we’ll try to stay positive.”

Ted: Aston Martin preceded Mercedes

Sky Sports F1 Ted Kravitz in Bahrain

“I got the third Aston Martin and maybe closer to Ferrari. It has to do with Fernando Alonso’s race.

“At the Bahrain GP on Saturday [long runs] like this, it should be Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso on the podium before the Ferraris and Mercedes.

“Aston Martin has Red Bull worried from Day One, Adrian Newey (Red Bull’s chief technical officer) mentioned him in the team that he is concerned, the car is really good, there are some good ideas. *.

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Ted Kravitz was in the paddock ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season as he analyzed the key moments from the third and final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain.

“I’m going to be a bit reticent and say that Aston Martin is third and Mercedes is fourth now.

“We need to see a big step from Mercedes in the next few days to get third.

“When Hamilton came out and said that the porpoising was mostly gone but some of the ‘balance limits’ of last year’s car were still there, I didn’t believe it. I thought, hang on, this is a Mercedes that should be ok!

“But they still have the same problems they had last year.”

Formula 1 is back! Watch the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 next weekend. Track action begins on Friday while Sunday’s races begin at 3 p.m. Get Sky Sports