Hamilton: Ferrari, Red Bull not delivering like Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari and Red Bull have under-delivered in the opening three rounds of the 2019 Formula 1 season, allowing Mercedes to take a trio of one-two finishes to start the year. Hamilton won the Chinese Grand Prix from team-mate Valtteri Bottas to move top of the drivers' standings.

The Silver Arrows are already 57 points clear of Ferrari in the constructors' standings, having enjoyed the best team start to a Formula 1 season in 27 years.

While that Williams outfit, which helped Nigel Mansell to the drivers' title with nine wins in 16 races, was by far the most dominant on the grid, Mercedes came into 2019 expecting to be behind Ferrari, with Red Bull also suggesting they could move ahead of the champions.

However, the reality has proved very different, something Hamilton attributes to Mercedes hitting the ground running while their rivals have struggled.

He said: "I think what's showing is just how it's not been easy to get these three one-twos.

"The first race was perhaps a little bit more straightforward for us but getting the car to where we needed it to then delivery through the weekends and I think we definitely were lucky in the last race to position a one-two again.

"It doesn't really mean a huge amount but it's a real positive for us as a team and I hope that we can keep up this performance.

"We know that we've got Ferrari knocking at our heels and we know that the Red Bulls are there or thereabouts somewhere but again, they're not delivering as a whole, as we are as a team and that's what it takes today, just overall maximum attack.

"It will be interesting to see how the next races go."

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