Hamilton: Ferrari had more time to develop 2019 car

Lewis Hamilton estimates that Ferrari may have had an extra month to develop their 219 car than Mercedes, perhaps explaining a perceived advantage held by the Scuderia after pre-season testing. Although Hamilton finished pre-season within three thousandths of Sebastian Vettel's best time, many onlookers in Barcelona believe the red car is the quicker by a distance.

Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff have both predicted that their deficit to Ferrari may be as much as half a second per lap.

The truth will not be known until Australia, but if Ferrari do begin with an advantage, Hamilton believes the way last year's title fight panned out could provide the answer.

"Obviously, during the year you have a huge group of people all working towards the championships," Hamilton said.

"If you're not looking like winning the world championship, out of worry you might pull some of the team off earlier.

"So, most likely, they've [Ferrari] started developing this car a month, at least, earlier than us. And we were pushing to win the world title, which we obviously did.

"It's different when you're chasing, as opposed to defending. Last year they arrived here with a car that was working well, but they've got even better this year.

"That's okay, we don't mind the challenge, the fight. It just means we've got to work harder.

"But I'm really, really proud of what my team had done to get us to where we are today.

Your passion fuels our days. Grazie! @SFerrariClub #Tifosi #essereFerrari pic.twitter.com/bj0cLpYucX — Scuderia Ferrari (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 1, 2019

"I'm not worried, or disappointed or anything. We're just incredibly encouraged by the fact we're working as hard as we are. We've got a hill to climb, but we know how to do it."

Hamilton is not just focused on Ferrari ahead, with a tightly packed midfield appearing to make great strides over the winter as well.

The five-time world champion relishes a field with greater competition, but said the richer teams' ability to develop quicker could maintain F1's status quo.

"At the moment it's the three teams at the top," Hamilton said in reference to Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull.

"But the teams at the back have closed up as far as I'm aware so the whole pack has closed up.

"Behind us, I don't know which team is fourth but they're a lot closer. Before it was a second gap, now it's half a second – maybe less, which is awesome. If they have the capacity to develop like the top three teams is the question."

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