Hamilton: Ferrari have dropped the ball

Lewis Hamilton says he and Mercedes are only on top of the drivers' and constructors' standings because Ferrari have "dropped the ball" in races this year. Hamilton is 14 points ahead of Sebastian Vettel, while the Silver Arrows lead the Scuderia by 22 points in the team standings.

Reigning champion Hamilton pipped Vettel to the title last year as the Ferrari man lost his grip on the race with a crash in Singapore and subsequent struggles in Malaysia and Japan.

This year, Vettel failed to convert pole positions in China and Azerbaijan thanks to poor fortune behind the safety car, before poor Ferrari strategy gave up more points in Spain.

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Hamilton and Vettel have two wins apiece this year, as does Daniel Ricciardo, with Red Bull looking to work their way back into contention.

Red Bull have spoken bullishly about their chances in Canada next week and Hamilton believes his dominance is threatened on multiple fronts this year.

"It's definitely a three-way fight and Ferrari, I think, are still the strongest," Hamilton said.

"Their car was quick in Monaco, their car was working quite well through the whole season so far and they have dropped the ball a few times and we've capitalised on that.

"So we are further ahead than we would be if everyone had done the same job, if you know what I mean. But I still feel that they're the strongest and Sebastian has been doing the strongest job. But it is a three-way battle.

"I think Red Bull potentially have got an upgrade coming at some stage, engine-wise I think at the next race, so it will be interesting to see their performance and they will continue to get stronger through the year.

"So hopefully, while maybe the race was not the most exciting, it's great for the fans to see this battle that we have.

"I'm telling you, we're doing everything we can to win the race and then the Red Bulls win it and then the Ferraris win it and then we win. It's great to have that.

"I personally love it and it's challenging me more than I can express. It's the biggest challenge that I've had with my boys, but I'm loving that challenge.

"I'm loving having to dig super deep in my technical knowledge and learning more and how I can communicate, how I can really pick the right set-up and get it right for the weekend - all these different things. I'm enjoying that."