Hamilton pointedly defends Mercedes - "My team don't make mistakes"

Lewis Hamilton was forced to launch a stout defence of his Mercedes team during his first media appearance at the Barcelona pre-season test.

All 10 teams are in Spain to officially test their cars for the first time ahead of the inaugural race of F1's new era in Bahrain on March 20.

The machinery has been almost completely overhauled in the quest for a more exciting racing product, with teams divided during last season over when to switch full focus to the development of the new cars.

Mercedes and rivals Red Bull were embroiled in one of the most closely fought title fights in F1 history, with the Brackley-based team's triumph a year earlier leading to a reduction in wind tunnel time, as per the sport's recently introduced rules aimed at levelling the playing field.

When asked if he feared Mercedes would not be able to provide a car capable of winning, Hamilton questioned: "Why would I feel that way? Why would I ever think that? We have won eight [championships] in a row. Why would I ever feel that way?"

When it was put to him a team could make a mistake when developing the car, Hamilton replied: "My team don't make mistakes.

"Of course, there is always a risk but we don't make mistakes. We have got very intelligent people back at the factory and I trust them 100 per cent.

"Whatever we start with, good or bad, we work through it and we have always had a great development plan and workforce."

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