Lewis Hamilton: Why Mercedes are feeling strong for the Bahrain Grand Prix
LEWIS HAMILTON insists there will be no hangover from Mercedes’ mishaps at last month’s Australian Grand Prix in Bahrain this weekend.
The Briton was denied a win in 2018’s opening race in Melbourne after a computer software glitch lulled the world champions’ pit wall engineers into thinking Hamilton had a sufficient lead out in first.
A Virtual Safety Car deployed due to Haas’ misfortune then allowed Sebastian Vettel to pit and in losing less time on his lap than normal under the VSC, come out in front of Hamilton.
While the 30-year-old fought to overtake the German’s Ferrari throughout the remainder of the race, he could never get close enough to attempt a passing move due to engine overheating.
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Whatever the case I feel that we are prepared to push through whatever these issues we are faced with and move forward.
And four-time world champion Hamilton is confident that the issue is in the past for the "strong and positive" Silver Arrows and will have no bearing on their performance in the Bahrain Grand Prix.
"When you started first and fell back to second that's definitely not as good a feeling,” he acknowledged.
“You definitely don't want to be moving backwards so that was definitely difficult for us all.
“Everyone in the team felt the same pain and we all sat together in the airport lounge and had a drink together and we were incredibly unified.
"We all felt the same pain and for sure some individuals have had more sleepless nights than others maybe.
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“But ultimately we come here feeling strong and positive with a good direction over how to move forward.
“That's why this is such a great team even with that issue that we had we still got good points and we are still there in the fight.
“Whatever the case I feel that we are prepared to push through whatever these issues we are faced with and move forward."
The first practice session of the weekend gets underway at the Bahrain International Circuit today at 12pm (mid-day).
