Hamilton: It will be closer than you think

Lewis Hamilton says that the fight between Mercedes and Ferrari will be very tight in China. Shanghai hosts the third round of the 2018 Formula 1 world championship, with Ferrari taking victory at the opening two rounds of the season.

The Maranello-based squad has should impressive straight-line speed far, and with the Shanghai circuit containing one of the longest straight on the calendar, the four-time world champion predicts a close battle between the two teams.

"They are going to be hard to beat. Their straight-line speed has been faster than ours and we have the longest straights here. So I anticipate they are going to be very fast. It should be a good track for us but I think it is going to be a lot closer than you think."

Ferrari locked out the front row in qualifying last time out in Bahrain, but face a challenge to replicate that performance in China. Mercedes has taken pole at the circuit every year since 2012, only failing to convert it into a victory in 2013.

Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel says that Mercedes are the favourites going into the weekend, but believes that if things are done right, the Italian team could put a halt to the Silver Arrows' domination in the Asian country.

"The first two races have been quite different so it is not straightforward to predict the next one," he said. "I think Mercedes are still the favourite going in but if we do our homework and get the car balance right, it should be a good weekend."

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,533
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 232
  • Country United Kingdom
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, United Kingdom
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar