DOHA: Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said Mercedes have to pull up their socks ahead of the first race of the season after the final day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Sunday.
“We’re just not quick enough,” said the seven-time champion. “Probably everywhere. I wouldn’t call it a struggle necessarily, just not quick enough,” he replied. “Just seems globally through the lap; there’s not one particular point more than the other.”
Hamilton said Red Bull pose a considerable threat to the seven-time champions, adding that he was anticipating a “great battle” against Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez in the looming 23-race campaign.
Verstappen capped off a positive 2021 pre-season test for Red Bull at the Bahrain International Circuit by posting the fastest time of the whole three days on the final afternoon’s running.
“Red Bull are looking particularly strong and will be a different animal this season with Sergio Perez alongside
Max Verstappen,” Hamilton added.
But Verstappen was quick to play it down and said, “Definitely, I think it has been the best. But it doesn’t give you any guarantees, so we’ll find out throughout the first race weekend where we are.”
(Inputs from F1)
