Lewis Hamilton: 'Different animal' Red Bull look 'particularly strong'

‘Different animal’ Red Bull are looking ‘particularly strong’ according to Lewis Hamilton – with reigning Formula One champion adding fierce competition makes things ‘more fun’

• Lewis Hamilton has underlined Red Bull’s strength ahead of the new F1 season 
• Reigning champion said Christian Horner’s outfit would give him a good battle
• Experienced driver Sergio Perez joined Max Verstappen for the 2021 campaign 

Red Bull are looking particularly strong and will be a ‘different animal’ this season with Sergio Perez alongside Max Verstappen, seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton stated on Sunday.

Experienced Mexican Perez, a winner in Bahrain last December, has joined Red Bull from the team that was Racing Point and is now Aston Martin as a replacement for British-Thai racer Alexander Albon.

Hamilton, whose Mercedes team started the last day of the three-day test in Bahrain with fewer laps completed than others after a gearbox problem on Friday, said he was excited at the prospect of a real battle.

Lewis Hamilton has stated Red Bull look like a ‘different animal’ ahead of the new F1 campaign

Mercedes have won the last seven drivers’ and constructors’ titles and Hamilton, 36, is chasing a record eighth championship this year.

‘It’s quite impressive to see the speed of some of the other teams. I think Red Bull are looking particularly strong,’ Hamilton said.

‘It’s great to see McLaren also looking strong and also Renault (Alpine). I’m excited also because that means more fun.’

Verstappen, who was fastest on Friday with Perez quickest on Sunday morning, said Mercedes were still the favourites.

Seasoned Mexican driver Sergio Perez (right) has joined Max Verstappen (left) for this season

However Hamilton said Red Bull, who won four titles in a row between 2010-13, could also be favourites.

‘They’ve had some really good running, both drivers have been looking quite strong. They are going to be a different machine or animal this year with a really good, strong line-up and a really good car,’ he added.

‘Having seen them win the last race, you can imagine they are going to be right there in the first race and it’s going to be a great long battle with them through the year.’

Verstappen won the final race of 2020 from pole position in Abu Dhabi after Perez won the Sakhir Grand Prix. 

Hamilton and Mercedes’ most recent win was the Bahrain Grand Prix in November, and the Brit said he was not wasting any time worrying about testing setbacks.

‘We are just working hard and focusing on getting through the short amount of testing we have and trying to be as efficient as possible,’ he said.

‘It’s better that it doesn’t go smooth now and goes smooth once we get into the racing scene. So this is the perfect time for us to find the issues and have the problems. And so I welcome that.

‘No-one’s particularly fazed by it. We are a multi-championship-winning team and we know how to pull together and keep our head down and focus on the job.’

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