MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 20:54:23| >> :120:58730:58730:

Lewis Hamilton: 'Mercedes are second best team'

Hamilton: 'Mercedes are second best team'
© PA Photos
Lewis Hamilton says that only Red Bull are better than Mercedes.

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has no doubts that his side are the second best team in Formula 1 this season.

The 28-year-old received criticism for initially moving to the Silver Arrows during the winter break, with many deeming the switch from McLaren as a step down.

However, Mercedes claimed third and fourth place behind the Red Bulls at the Malaysian Grand Prix, and Hamilton believes that only the reigning champions are superior to his current team.

"We are the second best team. To be that close — I was competing with the Red Bulls at some stages in the race — and to be in that position is a great feeling," said Hamilton.

"Unfortunately, we didn't have enough fuel in the car, more so my side. I was fuel-saving from lap 25 and it was very much an impossible task to challenge those up ahead. I was fuel-saving at the end like you would not believe: I was coasting everywhere. I'm sure if we were all on the same fuel it would have been a different situation, so I'm confident about that.

"I think this [Malaysia] proves that if we keep going in the direction we are heading, then there's a possibility that we could win a race at some stage this year."

Hamilton finished third in Sepang.

ID:77327: cacheID:77327:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2098:
Written by
Matt Cotton
Restore Data
Share this article now:
New Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton on March 14, 2013
Read Next:
Hamilton sorry for 'doing a Jenson'
>
Read more about Lewis Hamilton Formula 1
rhs 2.0


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!