Formula 1: Hamilton wary of Ferrari threat in upcoming races
Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton has said the upcoming Formula 1 races in 2019 are going to be tough with Ferrari looking to challenge the Constructor leaders. Ferrari have won the last three F1 races that included a 1-2 finish at last weekend's Singapore Grand Prix. Ahead of the Russian GP this weekend, Hamilton is wary of the challenges. Here's more.
The 2019 Singapore Grand Prix saw the Ferrari drivers dominate the race as the team opted for the perfect strategy that outwit rivals Mercedes. Sebastian Vettel won the race and his team member Charles Leclerc finished second. Red Bull's Max Verstappen took the third place. Mercedes could not challenge Ferrari's pace and took the fourth and fifth positions respectively.
Ahead of the Singapore GP, Leclerc won the Belgian and Italian GP respectively to deny Hamilton and his Mercedes team member Valtteri Bottas. Therefore, the Briton is feeling the pressure at the moment and feels Ferrari will provide a stern challenge for the rest of 2019. There are six more races left in 2019 that includes the Russian GP this weekend.
"These next races are going to be tough," said Hamilton. "If anyone feels relaxed they need talking to because we should all be feeling the pain in our team. I think I am a realist so I see the situation we are in - and Ferrari have come up with some sort of upgrade that's given them a massive boost."
Hamilton leads the points tally in 2019 (296). However, Leclerc (200), Vettel (194) and Bottas (231) can all catch up with six races to go. Therefore, what looked like an easy run in for a sixth world championship, has suddenly got more interesting.
"Clearly, their car works everywhere now so it's going to be very hard to beat them, particularly as they are so fast on the straights. At the moment, they are delivering better than us so we have to get back together," added Hamilton.
