Pierre Gasly claims Mercedes ‘don’t look as good as they were in the past’ after closely-fought pre-season testing battle with Lewis Hamilton – ahead of season-opening race in Bahrain this weekend
- Pierre Gasly and Lewis Hamilton raced each other closely on day three of testing
- The AlphaTauri driver was encouraged with the indication of closer racing
- Mercedes have won the constructors championship for the last eight years
- Yet Hamilton claims he doesn’t believe Mercedes have provided him with a car capable of carrying him to an eighth drivers world title
AlphaTauri driver Pierre Gasly was encouraged after a close battle with Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton at pre-season testing, saying the constructors champions ‘don’t look as good as they were in the past.’
French driver Gasly and seven-time world champion Hamilton raced against each other during day three of testing in Bahrain on Saturday, with the match-up an indication of the closer racing anticipated this season following a change in the regulations.
The season-opening Grand Prix takes place at the Bahrain International Circuit this weekend and Gasly says the dominant team in Formula One in recent years might be weaker than years gone by.
Pierre Gasly says Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes ‘don’t look as good as they were in the past’
French driver Gasly and Hamilton raced closely against each other in testing in Bahrain
‘I was kind of surprised to battle with Lewis,’ he told reporters after day three of the Bahrain test.
‘I think the conclusion is Mercedes probably doesn’t look as good as they were in the past.
‘We overtook each other a couple of times, stayed close to each other. It was definitely an improvement, so I think racing should be quite fun this year.’
Mercedes have won the constructors championship for the last eight years, though missed out on an eighth-straight drivers championship after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen pipped Hamilton controversially on the final lap in 2021.
Hamilton claims he doesn’t believe Mercedes have provided him with a car capable of carrying him to an eighth world title.
Hamilton revealed he is fearful he won’t be in contention for the world championship
Hamilton is concerned that Mercedes have been disturbed by F1’s significant rule changes
Hamilton was despondent, saying: ‘At the moment, I don’t think we will be competing for wins.
‘I’m sure everyone can figure out that we are not the quickest. Ferrari look to be the fastest, and perhaps Red Bull and then maybe us, or McLaren. We are currently not at the top.’
Mercedes struggled in testing last year, only for Hamilton to beat Verstappen at the first race.
Following the biggest overhaul to the regulations in nearly a decade, Hamilton added: ‘It feels a lot different from last year. It doesn’t look as good. We have far bigger challenges and they are not one-week turnarounds. They will take a little bit longer. I’m told we have a considerable amount of pace to find.’