Hamilton 'clear' title favourite in 2018 - Mansell

Nigel Mansell says Lewis Hamilton is a "quantum leap" ahead of his rivals for the Formula 1 world title. Hamilton edged Sebastian Vettel to win a fourth world title in 2017, but Mansell fears further Mercedes dominance this year could turn fans off from the sport.

The drivers' title looked like Vettel's to lose with seven races left last season, but the Ferrari driver suffered three poor events in a row from Singapore to Malaysia, handing the initiative back to Hamilton.

Mercedes have won all four constructors' and drivers' crowns in the hybrid era.

Mansell - who beat Ayrton Senna and a young Michael Schumacher to win his sole title in 1992 - lamented a lower standard of competition in the modern era, but points out that plays into Hamilton's hands.

"Lewis is clearly the favourite going into 2018, with an unbelievable role at Mercedes," Mansell told Express Sport.

GREEN LIGHT ???? @LewisHamilton fires his way out for his first laps of the day ???????? #DrivenByEachOther pic.twitter.com/GYLeI84JYA — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) March 7, 2018

"It is a brilliant team and there is really only two or three other manufacturers for him to beat this season to secure another world championship.

"The fact is that the drivers' championship is not as competitive as it was years ago, so it's a fabulous opportunity for Lewis to win a fifth world crown.

"It's going to come down to both Lewis and Mercedes and they are both in the driver's seat, and everyone else is going to have to make a quantum leap to be able to compete with them on the same level.

"I just hope it will be interesting enough for the fans to watch.

"Ferrari, Red Bull and hopefully McLaren will be up there, and Force India are doing well and maybe a few other teams.

"But I would have to say Mercedes are red-hot favourites again."