Hamilton insists Red Bull are contenders

Lewis Hamilton believes that as many as six competitors could potentially be in the frame to win the driver’s championship in the 2019 F1 season, saying that the drivers at Red Bull must be considered contenders alongside Mercedes and Ferrari.

Mercedes have started the campaign in positive fashion, having claimed a double of one-two finishes in the opening two races in Australia and Bahrain, while Ferrari have displayed outstanding, if slightly unreliable, speed.

Mercedes worried Ferrari will be quicker all yearRead more

The two teams sit in the top two positions in the constructor’s championship with Red Bull in behind in third, but Hamilton thinks the Bulls will prove themselves as a threat as the campaign goes on.

"At the moment it's clearly not just me and Sebastian [Vettel]," he said.

"I don't see that changing any time soon. At the moment it's at least four of us and then the Red Bulls - you definitely can't count them out.”

Red Bull have started the 2019 season with a new Honda engine after opting to change from Renault, and although pre-season showed positive signs, they haven’t quite hit the ground running yet.

Hamilton thinks that the upcoming Chinese GP this weekend could kickstart their championship assault, however.

“The Red Bulls have had a bit of a slower start but they won the race here last year and they particularly finish off strong so I anticipate it could be something similar,” Hamilton added.

"On the straights have been really good. Whereas they usually have a really strong car and not such a strong engine, it's gone the other way this year. They have not as strong a car but they are one of the teams who can develop at a similar rate to Ferrari and us."

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