Hamilton: Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari all under pressure

Lewis Hamilton says the pressure is on Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari equally heading into a 2018 season that all three teams have been tipped to impress in. The Silver Arrows' dominance of the hybrid era appears under serious threat this year, with Red Bull and the Scuderia showing impressive pre-season form.

Hamilton pipped Sebastian Vettel to seal his fourth drivers' title last year, pulling level with the German to set up a race for a fifth crown between them this year.

Red Bull duo Max Verstappen and Daniel Ricciardo could have something to say about that, however, with both Mercedes and Ferrari casting warnings that the Milton Keynes' squad could be back to their best this year.

Hamilton does not believe that any of the three leading teams can be considered outright favourite for honours this year.

"I think at this time of the year everyone is trying to hype someone else up and we are the perfect target because we are the world champions," he said. "It's like trying to put all the pressure onto someone else because it takes the weight off of you.

"But ultimately the pressure is divided on all of us because Red Bull seems to have done a great job with their car and it has a lot more furniture on it [than last year] and should be a lot quicker this weekend with two great drivers.

"And then you've got Ferrari who were in a real fight with us last year and they will be no walkover that's for sure. This year we expect them to be on it too.

"My guess is as good as yours this weekend and I'm just trying to make sure I'm in the best position I can be and I understand the car and my tools, because as soon as you get on track the steps you take in terms of moving the car forwards and improving the envelope you are working in is crucial.

"Every step has to be the right step."

Ferrari pair Vettel and Kimi Raikkonen delivered blistering lap times in the Barcelona test, while Mercedes were placed way down the timesheets, but Hamilton is reading little into those results.

"I think everyone did different things in testing," he continued.

"If you look at the Red Bulls, they never used their best race mode for example. I'm not sure if that's the case for Ferrari, but that's certainly the case for a couple of people.

"From what I understand, I think Red Bull and Ferrari are very close. Potentially we are either level, just behind or maybe just ahead of the Red Bulls as far as I'm aware. But this weekend they might bring a new upgrade, so it's going to be tight."