Hamilton: Ferrari the number one team in F1

Lewis Hamilton says Ferrari are the "number one" team in Formula 1 after Sebastian Vettel secured a third pole position in succession at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas qualified second and third respectively, but looked much more competitive than last time out in China.

Vettel's opening effort in Q3 of one minute and 41.498 seconds was enough for pole, with Hamilton only able to close within a tenth of the championship leader.

Hamilton may at least take solace from snapping a two-race run of being outqualified by Bottas.

But the reigning champion says Mercedes will need to pull out all the stops if they are to secure a first race win of the season in Baku.

"At all the races this season they've shown they've been very quick on the straights, and have a very strong and efficient DRS in particular," Hamilton said of Ferrari.

"They've obviously made a big step forward this year and they are the number one team to beat at the moment.

"Sebastian did a great job today so congratulations to him.

What a sight! ???? Two Silver machines! #AzerbaijanGP ???????? #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/e0JrkvOKgb — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) April 28, 2018

"The Ferrari has been so dominant in the last couple of races pace-wise so we knew they would be very quick here which they have been all weekend and also Red Bull look pretty promising.

"We were struggling yesterday and came into today and the team and engineers managed to do a great job to understand where we were and where we could progress forwards so a big thank you to them for all their hard work.

"Today was a much more reasonable car, there are still areas that we are lacking but it is a work in progress I would say and to be that close to the Ferraris is definitely a positive."

Vettel will not have team-mate Kimi Raikkonen in close quarters off the line after a last-corner slip left the Finn in sixth, perhaps giving Mercedes the chance to put strategic pressure on Vettel.

"To have both Valtteri and myself up here is a good boost for the team, to be right up there in the mix," Hamilton said.

"I am excited for the race, it is hard to overtake here, as it is anywhere around the world but we will give it everything we've got."