Lewis Hamilton believes there is more to come from Ferrari who are ‘bluffing’ their way through testing
LEWIS HAMILTON has warned rivals Ferrari are closing the gap with Mercedes – as Sebastian Vettel sets the fastest time in pre-season testing.
The four time world champion set the quickest time in Barcelona, eclipsing Mercedes by 0.286 seconds.
EPA Lewis Hamilton claims Ferrari are “bluffing” in testing and could be faster than Mercedes[/caption]
But with the opening race of the F1 season in Australia in two weeks time – Hamilton insists Mercedes are still the team to beat, but Ferrari have more in their locker.
Getty Images Sebastian Vettel sets fastest time in Barcelona testing[/caption]
“I think Ferrari are bluffing and that they are a lot quicker than they are showing.” Hamilton said.
“They are very close, if not faster – It’s difficult right now to say who is quicker.”
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Vettel’s time time in Spain of one minute 19.024 seconds beats Hamilton’s Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas.
Friday is the last day of preparation on the track before the teams fly to Melbourne for the season curtain raiser.
AP:Associated Press Former world champion Sebastian Vettel sets the pace in Barcelona[/caption]
Getty Images New Mercedes driver Valtteri Bottas fastest lap time eclipsed by Sebastian Vettel[/caption]
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Vettel countered Hamilton, suggesting Mercedes are not going at full tilt themselves before the start of the season.
The German said:”If you look at the amount of laps Mercedes has done, at how slow they go in testing historically, how much they can ramp it up for races, it’s clear.
“They’re very fast if you look at their long-run pace. They’re the ones to beat.”
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