Hamilton Expecting "Rapid" Ferrari in Bahrain

Lewis Hamilton is expecting the Ferrari car to be “rapid” next weekend whilst suggesting the pecking order won’t be clear until we start racing in Spain.

Ferrari outscored Mercedes in the opening race of the season but most of the paddock expects Mercedes to fight back.

The World Champion said: “From my experience, you don’t really get a good understanding until after four races.

“Right now it’s just the first race - I have no idea.

“We go to Bahrain and there’s going to be ups and downs. Ferrari are really quick on the straights, they are going to be rapid in the next race and they are always good when it comes to hot circuits.

“Bahrain, even though it’s a night race, is still tough on the tyres.

“So I really have no idea - but I can tell you it’s not going to be easy and it’s going to be close.”

Bottas crashed out during Q3 leaving Hamilton to fight the Ferrari’s by himself.

“It was one against two and it’s not easy to fight against a team that has two cars in the mix compared to one.”

Hamilton also believes Bottas will pull it back with a great performance in Bahrain.

“We’ll work together and Valtteri will be working very hard to make sure he’s in the mix and fighting with us as well.

“He’s going to be fighting for wins this year and it won’t always be as it is (in Australia). Last year it was important to have both cars up there and now it’s shown that it’s even more important, especially with Red Bull being there and both Ferrari drivers.”