Lewis Hamilton said he trusts Ferrari may have the fastest car with three days staying of Formula 1’s pre-season testing program. Williams driver Felipe Massa set the pace on the principal day of the last test however Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was under 0.2 seconds behind on a slower tire. Hamilton was fourth quickest for Mercedes, 0.5secs behind the German.
“Ferrari are possibly the favourites,” Hamilton said.
“We can’t take our eyes off them they are doing such a great job.
“And Red Bull look like they’re going quite quick today. It is going to be close at the first race for sure.”
It is famously troublesome precisely to foresee intensity from pre-season testing in light of the fact that there are such a large number of factors. Yet, Ferrari have awed spectators and opponent teams this year so far with their reliably quick circumstances, while not utilizing both of the two mildest sorts of tire. Vettel proceeded with this frame on Tuesday, lapping only 0.18secs slower than Massa, who was utilizing a tire that Pirelli figures to be around 0.8secs speedier.Red Bull additionally seemed aggressive, Ricciardo swapping times with Vettel and Hamilton amid the morning session. Hamilton said he had a troublesome morning before giving over to new team-mate Valtteri Bottas for the evening. “It didn’t feel spectacular this morning,” he said, “but we had some issues with tyre temps and with some floor damage so I sacrificed some of my time so Valtteri could run this afternoon.”
In the mean time, McLaren and engine accomplice Honda endured another blow in an agitated pre-season program.
Honda chose to change the engine in the car Stoffel Vandoorne was driving when they found an electrical issue after only 34 laps. It is the most recent in a progression of issues with Honda’s recently updated engine.
Honda has had three engine disappointments over the span of five days of testing up until now. The Japanese organization has not uncovered what number of engines it has experienced – a representative saying it has utilized “a blend, and some have been utilized on numerous days” – yet it is accepted to be no less than five.
He added: “The pressure is obviously huge and obviously we put the maximum pressure on all of our relationship with Honda, and the same for them.
“We cannot put a footstep wrong. We need to be able to deliver the best car as well, so this is both sides.”
