Damon Hill says Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton could get ’embarrassed’ in Bahrain Grand Prix

Hamilton and teammate George Russell will begin in fifth and ninth respectively (Image: Getty)

Formulation 1 legend Damon Hill has warned Mercedes they could possibly be ‘embarrassed’ within the first Grand Prix of the brand new season after ending properly off the tempo set by Ferrari and Crimson Bull in qualifying on Saturday.

Reigning champion Max Verstappen was favorite to assert pole place in Bahrain nevertheless it was Charles Leclerc who nabbed P1 forward of the Dutchman, whereas Carlos Sainz took third spot forward of Sergio Perez.

Lewis Hamilton was comparatively happy to complete fifth, although teammate George Russell struggled significantly extra and will solely muster ninth place on the grid in his first qualifying for Mercedes.

Leclerc will begin in P1 on the grid forward of Verstappen (Image: Getty)

Mercedes could possibly be a second per lap slower than the 4 automobiles forward of Hamilton, and Hill believes the seven-time world champ is going through a giant activity simply to remain in fifth place.

‘That is going to be completely different, it is a entire new complexion to what they’ve been used to,’ mentioned Hill on Sky Sports activities forward of Sunday’s race.

‘[Toto Wolff] mentioned one thing that has additionally been echoed by Lewis: the hole that they had in qualifying with regards to the race there’s a priority they may be embarrassed tomorrow.

‘There’s not a lot you are able to do when you possibly can’t really sustain within the race.

‘I feel it’s going to be quite a lot of effective fettling. The margins are so tiny I don’t suppose they'll slot in a basic design change.

‘They’re going to be working with what they’ve received and making an attempt to get issues harmonised and there may be untapped potential however they should discover that pretty quickly.’

Hamilton, equally, advised Mercedes wouldn't be anyplace near Ferrari and Crimson Bull in Sunday’s race.

Mercedes’ automobile remains to be very a lot a piece in progress (Image: Getty)

Requested if he was relieved to qualify in fifth, Hamilton informed Sky Sports activities: ‘I’m not saying I’m relieved, basically I’m actually proud of the day in comparison with the place we’ve been within the final two weeks.

‘It has been a little bit of a nightmare to drive, however we stored working and I’m pleased with everybody.

‘The fellows forward of us are in one other league. Typically I’m joyful the place we're, it’s not the entrance row however we'll make enhancements in addition to we are able to.

‘These guys (Crimson Bull and Ferrari) might be going forward, we're not within the combat with them, my battle is with the blokes behind us. Their efficiency was fairly a bit forward of us.’

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