Lewis Hamilton does believe Mercedes have a chance of claiming victory at the Monaco GP this weekend, despite many tipping Ferrari and Red Bull.
Last year the Briton struggled, dropping out in Q2 after a crash for Esteban Ocon before recovering to seventh in the race while Valtteri Bottas led the Silver Arrows charge but was only fourth.
Despite a dominant win in Spain two weeks ago, expectations are low with this year’s Mercedes sharing many characteristics of its predecessor but the world champion is not giving up.
“We’ll find out tomorrow the true pace and identity of what we arrive here with – but I’m excited for that challenge,” Hamilton said in Wednesday’s press conference.
“If you look at last year, there were overcuts and undercuts so anything is possible. I think we’re confident with our preparation. I think it’s been better than before.”
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Nevertheless, the 33-year-old is worried about the competition and believes Red Bull will be the team to beat.
“If you look at the last race [in Spain] and the testing in February, the Red Bulls were particularly quick in the last sector so you can imagine that they’re going to be incredibly quick this weekend,” he stated.
“It’s surprising on previous years because Ferrari was very strong but for whatever reason, Red Bull didn’t get it together. Maybe this weekend they will.
“I do anticipate it’s going to be a difficult weekend but not an impossible one. It’s a lot closer and we may not have the pace of the others.”
