Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Mercedes may face a challenging start to the 2021 Formula 1 season, with the reigning champions, Red Bull looking strong. Speaking ahead of the season-opening race in Bahrain, Hamilton acknowledged that Mercedes were “not where we wanted to start the season” and that they faced significant challenges.

Despite this, Hamilton and his teammate George Russell expressed confidence in the team’s ability to fight back and close the gap to Red Bull. Russell commented that there was “no reason why we can’t fight as the season hots up,” while Hamilton pointed out that Mercedes had a strong track record of development.

Mercedes have made some changes to their car since pre-season testing last week, including a new rear wing which they hope will reduce the gap to Red Bull. They have also addressed a major problem from last season, an aerodynamic flaw that caused the car to bounce at high speeds.

However, the paddock consensus is that Red Bull, and particularly lead driver Max Verstappen, are the class of the field by a significant margin. Ferrari, Mercedes, and the improved Aston Martin team are expected to be their closest challengers.

Hamilton praised Verstappen as a worthy champion and expressed his desire to stay with Mercedes beyond his current contract, regardless of the team’s competitive position. “Whether or not we have a difficult year this year, I’ll still be here,” he said. “I am a fighter, and we fight as a team.”

Ultimately, Hamilton’s comments suggest that Mercedes are prepared for a challenging start to the season but remains determined to fight back and close the gap to Red Bull. With Hamilton and Russell leading the charge, they will be hoping to build on their strong track record of development and stay in the hunt for the championship.

Leon Osamor