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Hamilton admits Ferrari are looking very, very strong so far in Barcelona

Hamilton admits Ferrari are looking "very, very strong" so far in Barcelona

20-02-2019 14:25
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Reigning champion Lewis Hamilton has admitted that main rivals Ferrari are looking "very, very strong" as the prancing horse has topped the time tables in both the first and second day of testing.

Hamilton and Mercedes haven't been focussing on raw speed just yet, with the Silver Arrows keeping a low profile while they collect some vital data in this first week of testing. This is usually the case with them - they are nowhere in the first week, and they come alive in the second.

Be that as it may, Ferrari have caught the eye of the public so far in Barcelona, with the team looking like the quickest car out there so far, as they log the most laps while setting the best times as well. Hamilton recognizes this.

"I don't think you can put a figure on it but Ferrari are very, very strong right now, as you have seen," he told Motorsport.

"They are racking up great mileage as well, so it appears they have a better package than they had last year. It means it will be even more of a challenge for us this year."

"They've been looking great.

"For us we are just digging deep trying to understand the car, pretty much the same as the beginning of every year. The Ferraris always particularly look strong, particularly in the last few years, they have looked strong right at the beginning.

"So, that is to be expected. For us we are just going about our process. Everyone is working extremely hard so it has been normal."

The five-time champion explained that Mercedes are focussing on their own car, rather than worrying about what the rivals are doing and how strong their cars are looking.

"We let everyone else do their thing and try to focus...really dig deep, and try to make sure our processes are better than ever before.

"Making sure we are analysing the data, better than ever before, and the delivery from the drivers' point of view. The feedback that I give, make sure it is more accurate than it has ever been before.

"That is what I will try to focus on and we are trying to focus on. And making sure we get through our run plans. We will have a better idea I guess this time next week whereabouts we stand."